Planting timing · Frost-anchored
When to plant melons
Plant cantaloupe and honeydew after frost on the cited sheets — not on a national calendar month. Watermelon is a separate crop. Regional dates stay source-specific.
Growing guidance is general information. Timing, spacing, and care depend on cultivar, weather, soil, and local conditions. Check the sources and adjust the plan for your garden.
Your window
Use your last-spring-frost history — not a national month.
A ZIP calculator is not live on this page. Save the bed to store the window you actually used.
Sow after frost risk at your site. Spacing lives on the melons hub.
Types and spacing live on growing melons. Watermelon lives on growing watermelon.
What the sources say — at a glance
One source per card. Facts are not averaged.
Clemson HGIC 1304 (South Carolina)
Warm-season. Air 65–75 °F. Soil at least 60–65 °F; after last frost. Piedmont Apr 15–Jun 5; Coastal Mar 15–May 15 and Jul 1–Jul 30.
Details and limits (3)
Timing
Clemson HGIC 1304 (South Carolina): cantaloupe and honeydew are warm-season crops. Average air temperatures between 65 and 75 °F. Clemson lists soil at least 60–65 °F and after-last-frost timing. These melons are very tender. Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.
Regions
Clemson HGIC 1304 (South Carolina): cantaloupe and honeydew planting dates on their sheet — Piedmont April 15 to June 5, summer not recommended; Coastal March 15 to May 15 and July 1 to July 30. South Carolina regions — not a national plant date.
Limit
South Carolina HGIC 1304. Piedmont and Coastal dates stay on this sheet. Not watermelon and not a ZIP calendar.
Maryland Extension (Maryland)
Direct sow after frost, soil warm. Indoor 3 weeks before transplant. DTM 80–100 from transplant. Maryland timing — not a national plant date.
Details and limits (3)
Timing
Maryland Extension (Maryland): direct sow when all danger of frost is past and the soil is warm. Start seeds indoors 3 weeks prior to transplanting. Maryland timing — not a national plant date.
Timing
Maryland Extension (Maryland): days to maturity 80 to 100 from transplanting. Maryland timing — not a national plant date.
Limit
Maryland melons garden page. After-frost timing and 80–100 days stay Maryland. Not watermelon.
UMN Extension (Minnesota)
Direct or transplant mid-May (south MN) to late June (north MN). Germination 70–90 °F. Soil 65 °F. Minnesota timing — not a national plant date.
Details and limits (2)
Timing
UMN Extension (Minnesota): you can direct seed or transplant between mid-May in southern Minnesota and late June in northern Minnesota. Plant melon seeds 1 week to 10 days before the last spring frost date; wait until the soil is warm enough. Melon seed germination is best between 70 and 90 °F. Plant only after the soil temperature has reached 65 °F. Minnesota timing — not a national plant date.
Limit
Minnesota melons sheet. Mid-May to late June and 65 °F stay Minnesota. Not a ZIP calendar.
Illinois Extension (Illinois)
After frost. Soil warmed and dried. Indoor 3–4 weeks. Illinois timing — not a national plant date. Honeydew not named on this sheet.
Details and limits (2)
Timing
Illinois Extension (Illinois): plant after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed and dried. Start seed for transplants 3 to 4 weeks before planting time. Illinois timing — not a national plant date.
Limit
Illinois muskmelon page. After-frost timing stays Illinois. Honeydew is not named here.
Sources differ
Make it yours
Save the bed in the Field Book so next season is not a guess.
Verified suppliers only
No supplier on this page
When a partner is listed, it will be outbound and disclosed. Nothing to buy here. Fertilizer, soils, and pesticides stay off this slot.
When do you plant cantaloupe and honeydew?
Compare frost and soil cues on the cited sheets. Clemson HGIC 1304 (South Carolina): soil at least 60 to 65 °F and after last frost; Piedmont April 15 to June 5; Coastal March 15 to May 15 and July 1 to July 30. Maryland: after frost; indoor three weeks. Minnesota: mid-May to late June; soil 65 °F. Illinois: after frost, soil warmed and dried.
Do the sheets agree on a calendar month?
No. Clemson’s table is April through June in the Piedmont and March through May plus July on the Coastal Plain. Maryland does not name a month — after frost. Minnesota lists mid-May to late June. Illinois does not name a month. Four cards — not averaged.
What to record in the Field Book
Save the bed with the crop and the date. You may add a photo and notes. Compare entries you have recorded with each other — not with a diagnosis from this page. If you want an identification, bring the record to local Extension.
How we know — methodology. Ranges and assertions are cited per source, not blended.