When to plant cantaloupe in Montana

Cantaloupe
Plant out in Billings
May 18–Jun 1

Across Montana the window opens between May 18 and June 27. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Billings
Apr 6–Apr 13
Plant out, Billings
May 18–Jun 1
Sow outdoors, Billings
May 18–Jun 1
Last sowing for a harvest
Jun 25
Last frost, Billings
May 4

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
BillingsMay 18–Jun 1
MissoulaMay 24–Jun 7
Great FallsMay 20–Jun 3
BozemanJun 9–Jun 23
Butte-Silver BowJun 27–Jul 11
HelenaMay 23–Jun 6
KalispellJun 14–Jun 28

In Butte-Silver Bow, Kalispell the frost-free season is shorter than cantaloupe need. Start plants indoors and pick early varieties.

Questions

When should I plant cantaloupe in Montana?

In Billings, plant out from May 18 to June 1. Across Montana the window opens between May 18 and June 27, 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.

Is the season long enough for cantaloupe everywhere in Montana?

Not quite. In Butte-Silver Bow, Kalispell the frost-free season is shorter than the time cantaloupe need to ripen. Start plants indoors and pick an early variety.

More for Montana

Cantaloupe in other states

Frost dates for every city in Montana