When to plant cantaloupe in Kansas

Plant out in Wichita

Apr 25–May 9

Across Kansas the window opens between April 18 and May 12. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Wichita: Mar 14–Mar 21
Plant out, Wichita: Apr 25–May 9
Sow outdoors, Wichita: Apr 25–May 9
Last sowing for a harvest: Jul 17
Last frost, Wichita: Apr 11

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

WichitaApr 25–May 9

Overland ParkApr 24–May 8

Kansas CityApr 18–May 2

OlatheApr 24–May 8

TopekaApr 30–May 14

LawrenceApr 26–May 10

ShawneeApr 30–May 14

LenexaApr 24–May 8

ManhattanApr 30–May 14

SalinaMay 2–May 16

HutchinsonMay 2–May 16

LeavenworthApr 26–May 10

LeawoodApr 22–May 6

Dodge CityMay 5–May 19

Garden CityMay 12–May 26

DerbyApr 28–May 12

GardnerApr 27–May 11

EmporiaApr 29–May 13

Prairie VillageApr 18–May 2

Junction CityApr 26–May 10

HaysMay 3–May 17

PittsburgApr 21–May 5

Questions

When should I plant cantaloupe in Kansas?

In Wichita, plant out from April 25 to May 9. Across Kansas the window opens between April 18 and May 12, 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 Kansas

Cantaloupe in other states

Frost dates for every city in Kansas