FrostCal

When to Plant Cantaloupe in Mississippi

In a typical Mississippi location, start seeds indoors Feb 13 – Feb 20, then transplant outdoors Mar 27 – Apr 3. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 26 in Biloxi and as late as Apr 17 in Oxford.

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
JacksonFeb 6 – Feb 13Mar 20 – Mar 27
GulfportJan 21 – Jan 28Mar 4 – Mar 11
West GulfportJan 26 – Feb 2Mar 9 – Mar 16
SouthavenFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
HattiesburgFeb 8 – Feb 15Mar 22 – Mar 29
BiloxiJan 15 – Jan 22Feb 26 – Mar 5
MeridianFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
Olive BranchFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 9 – Apr 16
TupeloFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 4 – Apr 11
GreenvilleFeb 13 – Feb 20Mar 27 – Apr 3
Horn LakeFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
PearlFeb 14 – Feb 21Mar 28 – Apr 4
MadisonFeb 14 – Feb 21Mar 28 – Apr 4
StarkvilleFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 6 – Apr 13
ClintonFeb 6 – Feb 13Mar 20 – Mar 27
RidgelandFeb 14 – Feb 21Mar 28 – Apr 4
BrandonFeb 14 – Feb 21Mar 28 – Apr 4
ColumbusFeb 13 – Feb 20Mar 27 – Apr 3
VicksburgJan 29 – Feb 5Mar 12 – Mar 19
OxfordMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
PascagoulaFeb 8 – Feb 15Mar 22 – Mar 29
LaurelFeb 12 – Feb 19Mar 26 – Apr 2
GautierFeb 1 – Feb 8Mar 15 – Mar 22
Ocean SpringsJan 15 – Jan 22Feb 26 – Mar 5
ClarksdaleFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
Long BeachJan 21 – Jan 28Mar 4 – Mar 11
HernandoFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
GreenwoodFeb 17 – Feb 24Mar 31 – Apr 7
NatchezFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
CorinthMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23

Showing the 30 most populous of 45 Mississippi cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Mississippi cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cantaloupe in Mississippi?

In a typical Mississippi location, start seeds indoors Feb 13 – Feb 20, then transplant outdoors Mar 27 – Apr 3. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 26 in Biloxi and as late as Apr 17 in Oxford.

When is the last frost in Mississippi?

The average last spring frost in Mississippi ranges from February 12 in Biloxi to April 3 in Oxford, 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 Mississippi

When to plant cantaloupe in other states

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