When to Plant Cantaloupe in Kansas
In a typical Kansas location, start seeds indoors Mar 16 – Mar 23, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 18 in Kansas City and as late as May 12 in Garden City.
Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Cantaloupe Planting Dates by City
| City | Start indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Overland Park | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Kansas City | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Olathe | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Topeka | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Lawrence | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 3 |
| Shawnee | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Manhattan | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Lenexa | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Salina | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 |
| Hutchinson | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 |
| Leavenworth | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 3 |
| Leawood | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Dodge City | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 |
| Garden City | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 |
| Emporia | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Junction City | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 3 |
| Derby | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Prairie Village | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Hays | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 |
| Gardner | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Liberal | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 11 |
| Pittsburg | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Newton | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Great Bend | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 |
| McPherson | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 |
| El Dorado | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Andover | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Ottawa | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 |
| Winfield | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 7 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 40 Kansas cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kansas cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant cantaloupe in Kansas?
In a typical Kansas location, start seeds indoors Mar 16 – Mar 23, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 18 in Kansas City and as late as May 12 in Garden City.
When is the last frost in Kansas?
The average last spring frost in Kansas ranges from April 4 in Kansas City to April 28 in Garden City, 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 Kansas
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- Watermelon
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Swiss Chard
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant cantaloupe in other states