When to Plant Cantaloupe in Nebraska
In a typical Nebraska location, start seeds indoors Mar 27 – Apr 3, then transplant outdoors May 8 – May 15. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 29 in Elkhorn and as late as May 25 in Alliance.
Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Cantaloupe Planting Dates by City
| City | Start indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 |
| Lincoln | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 |
| Bellevue | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 8 |
| Grand Island | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 |
| Kearney | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 |
| Fremont | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 |
| Hastings | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 |
| Norfolk | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 |
| North Platte | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 |
| Columbus | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 |
| Papillion | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 8 |
| La Vista | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 8 |
| Scottsbluff | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 |
| South Sioux City | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 |
| Beatrice | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 |
| Chalco | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 |
| Lexington | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 |
| Alliance | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 1 |
| Gering | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 |
| Elkhorn | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 6 |
Showing the 20 most populous of 20 Nebraska cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Nebraska cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant cantaloupe in Nebraska?
In a typical Nebraska location, start seeds indoors Mar 27 – Apr 3, then transplant outdoors May 8 – May 15. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 29 in Elkhorn and as late as May 25 in Alliance.
When is the last frost in Nebraska?
The average last spring frost in Nebraska ranges from April 15 in Elkhorn to May 11 in Alliance, 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 Nebraska
- 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