FrostCal

When to Plant Cantaloupe in Massachusetts

In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Mar 28 – Apr 4, then transplant outdoors May 9 – May 16. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 18 in Boston and as late as May 24 in North Adams.

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
BostonMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
WorcesterMar 26 – Apr 2May 7 – May 14
SpringfieldApr 5 – Apr 12May 17 – May 24
LowellApr 2 – Apr 9May 14 – May 21
CambridgeMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
New BedfordMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
DorchesterMar 22 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
BrocktonMar 25 – Apr 1May 6 – May 13
Fall RiverMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
QuincyMar 28 – Apr 4May 9 – May 16
LynnMar 28 – Apr 4May 9 – May 16
NewtonMar 22 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
SomervilleMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
LawrenceMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
FraminghamMar 29 – Apr 5May 10 – May 17
Framingham CenterMar 29 – Apr 5May 10 – May 17
WalthamMar 31 – Apr 7May 12 – May 19
HaverhillApr 3 – Apr 10May 15 – May 22
MaldenMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
BrooklineMar 22 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
MedfordMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
TauntonMar 25 – Apr 1May 6 – May 13
ChicopeeApr 5 – Apr 12May 17 – May 24
North ChicopeeApr 5 – Apr 12May 17 – May 24
WeymouthMar 28 – Apr 4May 9 – May 16
RevereMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
PeabodyMar 28 – Apr 4May 9 – May 16
MethuenMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
South PeabodyMar 28 – Apr 4May 9 – May 16
BarnstableMar 25 – Apr 1May 6 – May 13

Showing the 30 most populous of 183 Massachusetts cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Massachusetts cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cantaloupe in Massachusetts?

In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Mar 28 – Apr 4, then transplant outdoors May 9 – May 16. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 18 in Boston and as late as May 24 in North Adams.

When is the last frost in Massachusetts?

The average last spring frost in Massachusetts ranges from April 4 in Boston to May 10 in North Adams, 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 Massachusetts

When to plant cantaloupe in other states

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