When to plant cantaloupe in Kentucky

Cantaloupe
Plant out in Louisville/Jefferson County
Apr 20–May 4

Across Kentucky the window opens between April 16 and May 6. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Louisville/Jefferson County
Mar 9–Mar 16
Plant out, Louisville/Jefferson County
Apr 20–May 4
Sow outdoors, Louisville/Jefferson County
Apr 20–May 4
Last sowing for a harvest
Jul 20
Last frost, Louisville/Jefferson County
Apr 6

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
Louisville/Jefferson CountyApr 20–May 4
Lexington-FayetteApr 27–May 11
Bowling GreenApr 19–May 3
OwensboroApr 16–Apr 30
CovingtonApr 30–May 14
GeorgetownMay 2–May 16
RichmondApr 29–May 13
ElizabethtownApr 30–May 14
FlorenceMay 2–May 16
NicholasvilleApr 27–May 11
HopkinsvilleApr 18–May 2
IndependenceMay 2–May 16
JeffersontownApr 17–May 1
FrankfortApr 29–May 13
HendersonApr 23–May 7
PaducahApr 20–May 4
RadcliffApr 30–May 14
AshlandMay 6–May 20
ErlangerMay 2–May 16

Questions

When should I plant cantaloupe in Kentucky?

In Louisville/Jefferson County, plant out from April 20 to May 4. Across Kentucky the window opens between April 16 and May 6, 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 Kentucky

Cantaloupe in other states

Frost dates for every city in Kentucky