FrostCal

When to Plant Cantaloupe in Alabama

In a typical Alabama location, start seeds indoors Feb 21 – Feb 28, then transplant outdoors Apr 4 – Apr 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 7 in Mobile and as late as Apr 20 in Jacksonville.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 70–90 days

Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.

Cantaloupe Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
HuntsvilleFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
BirminghamFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 4 – Apr 11
MontgomeryFeb 13 – Feb 20Mar 27 – Apr 3
MobileJan 24 – Jan 31Mar 7 – Mar 14
TuscaloosaFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 1 – Apr 8
HooverFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 2 – Apr 9
DothanFeb 1 – Feb 8Mar 15 – Mar 22
AuburnFeb 13 – Feb 20Mar 27 – Apr 3
DecaturFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 9 – Apr 16
MadisonFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
FlorenceFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
Phenix CityFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 19 – Mar 26
GadsdenFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 2 – Apr 9
East FlorenceFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
PrattvilleFeb 13 – Feb 20Mar 27 – Apr 3
Vestavia HillsFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 4 – Apr 11
AlabasterFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 2 – Apr 9
OpelikaMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 12 – Apr 19
EnterpriseFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 23 – Mar 30
BessemerFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 6 – Apr 13
HomewoodFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 4 – Apr 11
AthensFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 3 – Apr 10
DaphneFeb 15 – Feb 22Mar 29 – Apr 5
NorthportFeb 18 – Feb 25Apr 1 – Apr 8
DixianaMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
PelhamFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 2 – Apr 9
PrichardJan 24 – Jan 31Mar 7 – Mar 14
AnnistonFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 6 – Apr 13
AlbertvilleFeb 17 – Feb 24Mar 31 – Apr 7
OxfordFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 6 – Apr 13

Showing the 30 most populous of 72 Alabama cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Alabama cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cantaloupe in Alabama?

In a typical Alabama location, start seeds indoors Feb 21 – Feb 28, then transplant outdoors Apr 4 – Apr 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 7 in Mobile and as late as Apr 20 in Jacksonville.

When is the last frost in Alabama?

The average last spring frost in Alabama ranges from February 21 in Mobile to April 6 in Jacksonville, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do cantaloupe take to grow?

Cantaloupe typically take 70–90 days from planting to harvest. Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.

Other Crops in Alabama

When to plant cantaloupe in other states

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