FrostCal

When to Plant Cantaloupe in Missouri

In a typical Missouri location, start seeds indoors Mar 11 – Mar 18, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 9 in Sikeston and as late as May 5 in Kirksville.

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
Kansas CityMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
St. LouisMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
SpringfieldMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
ColumbiaMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 19 – Apr 26
IndependenceMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
Lee's SummitMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
O'FallonMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
Saint JosephMar 22 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
Saint CharlesMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 22 – Apr 29
Blue SpringsMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 21 – Apr 28
Saint PetersMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
FlorissantMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
JoplinMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
ChesterfieldMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
Jefferson CityMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 22 – Apr 29
Cape GirardeauMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 19 – Apr 26
OakvilleMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
WildwoodMar 15 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
WentzvilleMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
University CityMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
BallwinMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
LibertyMar 22 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
RaytownMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
MehlvilleMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
KirkwoodMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
Maryland HeightsMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
GladstoneMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
HazelwoodMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
GrandviewMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 21 – Apr 28
Webster GrovesMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22

Showing the 30 most populous of 90 Missouri cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Missouri cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cantaloupe in Missouri?

In a typical Missouri location, start seeds indoors Mar 11 – Mar 18, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 9 in Sikeston and as late as May 5 in Kirksville.

When is the last frost in Missouri?

The average last spring frost in Missouri ranges from March 26 in Sikeston to April 21 in Kirksville, 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 Missouri

When to plant cantaloupe in other states

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