FrostCal

When to Plant Cantaloupe in Maryland

In a typical Maryland location, start seeds indoors Mar 6 – Mar 13, then transplant outdoors Apr 17 – Apr 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 5 in California and as late as May 8 in Westminster.

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
BaltimoreFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
ColumbiaMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
GermantownMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 28 – May 5
Silver SpringMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
FrederickMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
WaldorfMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
Glen BurnieMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
GaithersburgMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
RockvilleMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
Ellicott CityMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
DundalkFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
BethesdaMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
BowieMar 25 – Apr 1May 6 – May 13
TowsonMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
Aspen HillMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
WheatonMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
Bel Air SouthMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
Gwynn OakMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
PotomacMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
SevernMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
North BethesdaMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
CatonsvilleFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
AnnapolisFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
HagerstownMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
EssexFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
HanoverMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
WoodlawnMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
Severna ParkFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
OdentonMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
Saint CharlesMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24

Showing the 30 most populous of 151 Maryland cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Maryland cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cantaloupe in Maryland?

In a typical Maryland location, start seeds indoors Mar 6 – Mar 13, then transplant outdoors Apr 17 – Apr 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 5 in California and as late as May 8 in Westminster.

When is the last frost in Maryland?

The average last spring frost in Maryland ranges from March 22 in California to April 24 in Westminster, 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 Maryland

When to plant cantaloupe in other states

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