FrostCal

When to Plant Cantaloupe in Texas

In a typical Texas location, start seeds indoors Feb 7 – Feb 14, then transplant outdoors Mar 21 – Mar 28. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 22 in Edinburg and as late as May 5 in Dumas.

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
HoustonJan 5 – Jan 12Feb 16 – Feb 23
San AntonioJan 28 – Feb 4Mar 11 – Mar 18
DallasFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 16 – Mar 23
Fort WorthFeb 5 – Feb 12Mar 19 – Mar 26
AustinFeb 10 – Feb 17Mar 24 – Mar 31
El PasoFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 16 – Mar 23
ArlingtonFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 23 – Mar 30
Corpus ChristiJan 3 – Jan 10Feb 14 – Feb 21
PlanoFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 21 – Mar 28
LaredoDec 23 – Dec 30Feb 3 – Feb 10
LubbockFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
GarlandFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 21 – Mar 28
IrvingFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 16 – Mar 23
CypressJan 22 – Jan 29Mar 5 – Mar 12
AmarilloMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
Grand PrairieFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 23 – Mar 30
BrownsvilleDec 12 – Dec 19Jan 23 – Jan 30
McKinneyFeb 17 – Feb 24Mar 31 – Apr 7
FriscoFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 21 – Mar 28
PasadenaJan 5 – Jan 12Feb 16 – Feb 23
MesquiteFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 16 – Mar 23
KilleenFeb 14 – Feb 21Mar 28 – Apr 4
McAllenDec 12 – Dec 19Jan 23 – Jan 30
CarrolltonFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 16 – Mar 23
MidlandFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 9 – Apr 16
WacoFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 23 – Mar 30
DentonFeb 13 – Feb 20Mar 27 – Apr 3
AbileneFeb 20 – Feb 27Apr 3 – Apr 10
Round RockFeb 11 – Feb 18Mar 25 – Apr 1
BeaumontJan 17 – Jan 24Feb 28 – Mar 7

Showing the 30 most populous of 258 Texas cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Texas cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cantaloupe in Texas?

In a typical Texas location, start seeds indoors Feb 7 – Feb 14, then transplant outdoors Mar 21 – Mar 28. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 22 in Edinburg and as late as May 5 in Dumas.

When is the last frost in Texas?

The average last spring frost in Texas ranges from January 8 in Edinburg to April 21 in Dumas, 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 Texas

When to plant cantaloupe in other states

Related Guides