When to plant cantaloupe in Arizona

Plant out in Phoenix

Feb 15–Mar 1

Across Arizona the window opens between February 15 and June 18. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Phoenix: Jan 4–Jan 11
Plant out, Phoenix: Feb 15–Mar 1
Sow outdoors, Phoenix: Feb 15–Mar 1
Last sowing for a harvest: Sep 12
Last frost, Phoenix: Jan 8

Start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 2–4 weeks after the last frost. A ripe cantaloupe slips off the vine with a light push.

Cantaloupe planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PhoenixFeb 15–Mar 1

TucsonFeb 19–Mar 5

GilbertFeb 15–Mar 1

ChandlerFeb 27–Mar 13

GlendaleFeb 15–Mar 1

ScottsdaleFeb 15–Mar 1

TempeFeb 27–Mar 13

GoodyearFeb 15–Mar 1

San Tan ValleyFeb 15–Mar 1

AvondaleFeb 15–Mar 1

Queen CreekFeb 15–Mar 1

MaricopaMar 9–Mar 23

FlagstaffJun 18–Jul 2

Casas AdobesMar 12–Mar 26

Casa GrandeFeb 19–Mar 5

Lake Havasu CityFeb 15–Mar 1

Prescott ValleyMay 14–May 28

Catalina FoothillsMar 6–Mar 20

PrescottMay 14–May 28

Sierra VistaApr 19–May 3

Bullhead CityFeb 15–Mar 1

Sun CityFeb 15–Mar 1

KingmanApr 16–Apr 30

El MirageFeb 15–Mar 1

Fortuna FoothillsFeb 15–Mar 1

Drexel HeightsFeb 19–Mar 5

FlorenceFeb 15–Mar 1

Rio RicoApr 30–May 14

Questions

When should I plant cantaloupe in Arizona?

In Phoenix, plant out from February 15 to March 1. Across Arizona the window opens between February 15 and June 18, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 2–4 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Arizona

Cantaloupe in other states

Frost dates for every city in Arizona