Cantaloupe/Muskmelon

Use our zone-based planting guide to know when to plant cantaloupe.

Plant name Zone Start seeds indoors (spring/fall) Start seeds outdoors (spring/fall) Plant seedlings/transplants outdoors (spring/fall) Plant spacing # plants per person
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 3a Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 3b Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 4a Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 4b Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 5a March 1-15 May 1-15 On/around May 15 36-42 inches 2
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 5b March 1-15 May 1-15 On/around May 15 36-42 inches 2
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 6a March 1-15 May 1-15 On/around May 15 36-42 inches 2
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 6b March 1-15 May 1-15 On/around May 15 36-42 inches 2
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 7a March 1-15 May 1-15 On/around May 15 36-42 inches 2
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 7b March 1-15 May 1-15 On/around May 15 36-42 inches 2
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 8a Feb. 1-15 April 1-15 On/around April 15 36-42 inches 2
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 8b Feb. 1-15 April 1-15 On/around April 15 36-42 inches 2
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 9a 4-6 weeks before planting outside Jan. 15-Feb. 15 Jan. 15-Feb. 15 36-42 inches 2
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 9b 4-6 weeks before planting outside Jan. 15-Feb. 15 Jan. 15-Feb. 15 36-42 inches 2
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 10a 4-6 weeks before planting outside March 1-April 15 March 1-April 15 36-42 inches 2
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 10b 4-6 weeks before planting outside March 1-April 15 March 1-April 15 36-42 inches 2
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 11a 4-6 weeks before planting outside March 1-April 15 March 1-April 15 36-42 inches 2
Cantaloupe/Muskmelon 11b 4-6 weeks before planting outside March 1-April 15 March 1-April 15 36-42 inches 2

* Heat-loving vegetable great for the South. Grow at least two plants for pollination. Start seeds indoor 4-6 weeks before planting outdoors or plant outside 2-4 weeks after last frost.