Cantaloupe Planting Guide — All Zones
Cucumis melo
Last updated: Apr 25, 2026Quick Facts
Sunlight
☀️ Full Sun
Water Needs
💧💧 Moderate
Spacing
36 inches apart
Planting Depth
1.0 inch
Min Soil Temp
65°F
Germination
4–10 days
Days to Maturity
75–90 days
Frost Tolerance
No frost tolerance
Soil pH
6.0–6.8
Difficulty
Moderate
Planting Schedule by Zone
Select your USDA zone below for a detailed guide with tips specific to your region.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest Start | Harvest End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | Apr 12 | May 31 | — | Aug 21 | Sep 22 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 2 | May 21 | — | Aug 11 | Sep 25 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 18 | May 6 | — | Jul 27 | Sep 10 |
| Zone 7 | Mar 8 | Apr 26 | — | Jul 17 | Aug 31 |
| Zone 8 | Feb 20 | Apr 10 | — | Jul 1 | Aug 15 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 31 | Mar 21 | — | Jun 11 | Jul 26 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 13 | Mar 3 | — | May 24 | Jul 8 |
| Zone 11 | Dec 18 | Feb 5 | — | Apr 28 | Jun 12 |
Recommended for Your Zone
🌱 Cantaloupe Seeds & Supplies
Find seeds, soil, and tools suited for growing cantaloupe in your zone.
Shop on Amazon →Companion Planting
Companion planting improves growth, deters pests, and makes better use of garden space.
✓ Good Companions
✗ Avoid Nearby
Potato
📚 Data Sources
Frost dates: NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020, National Centers for Environmental Information.Hardiness zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Agricultural Research Service.
Growing requirements: Cooperative Extension Services — NC State, Penn State, University of Florida IFAS.
Companion planting: Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
Data compiled from public agricultural sources. Always verify with your local extension office for micro-climate adjustments.