Cantaloupe Planting Dates Arkansas

Best Planting Times for Cantaloupe in Arkansas

Planting Method	Activity	Recommended Dates
Outdoor Planting	Indoor Seed Starting	April 1 – May 15
	Transplant Outdoors	May 15 – June 1
Greenhouse Planting	Year-round	Adjust planting based on temperature control in the greenhouse

Planting Conditions

Arkansas has a humid subtropical climate, making it ideal for growing cantaloupe. The state benefits from a long growing season with temperatures that promote healthy fruit development.

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Useful Tools for Starting Indoors

Using the right tools can save you time and increase your success rate.

Seeds

Quality seeds lead to better germination and healthier plants. Starting with high-quality seeds gives your cantaloupes the best chance to thrive from the very beginning.

Browse Cantaloupe Seeds on Amazon

Planting Trays

Planting trays help you organize your seedlings and ensure they have enough space to grow before you transplant them outdoors. This makes the process more efficient and increases the chances of strong, healthy plants.

Find Planting Trays on Amazon

Grow Lights

Grow lights are essential if you don’t have enough natural sunlight. They provide your seedlings with the light they need to grow strong and healthy, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

Check out Grow Lights on Amazon

Seed Starting Soil

Using light, fine soil specifically designed for seed starting helps young roots establish quickly and promotes healthy growth. It’s an easy way to give your seedlings the best start possible.

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Greenhouse Growing

In Arkansas, where the summer heat can be intense, utilizing a greenhouse can protect cantaloupe plants from extreme heat and pests while maintaining an optimal temperature. This environment allows extended growing seasons and improves overall yield.

Consider investing in a 10×12 FT Greenhouse priced at $1,199 to ensure your cantaloupes thrive in a controlled environment.


Check the latest price on Amazon.

Fertilizer

For optimal cantaloupe growth in Arkansas, supplementing with fertilizer can ensure abundant and healthy harvests. Quality fertilizer helps replenish nutrients in the soil and promotes vigorous plant growth.

Check out Fertilizer on Amazon

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Plant cantaloupes outdoors in Arkansas approximately 1-2 weeks after the last spring frost date, ensuring the soil is warm enough for optimal growth.

Average Last Frost Dates for Arkansas’s Major Cities

City	Average Last Frost Date
Little Rock	April 8
Fort Smith	April 6
North Little Rock	April 10
Conway	April 8
Benton	April 14

Disclaimer: Frost dates are average estimates, and actual conditions may vary. It is recommended to monitor local forecasts and adapt planting decisions accordingly.

Other planting guides for Arkansas:

Kale Planting in Arkansas

Broccoli Planting in Arkansas

Tomato Planting in Arkansas

Any questions on how to grow? Visit our forum to discuss:Forum.

Starting Indoors

In Arkansas (Zone 7), begin indoor cantaloupe seed starting between March 15 and April 15. This timeline ensures healthy seedlings ready for outdoor transplantation starting from late April to early May once the risk of frost has passed.

Transplanting Seedlings

Transplant the seedlings outdoors from April 25 to May 10, ensuring the soil has warmed above 65°F consistently. Space the seedlings 24-36 inches apart in rows with at least 60 inches between rows for optimal growth.

General Care and Maintenance

Watering

• Provide consistent and deep watering to maintain evenly moist soil. Arkansas’s humid climate necessitates regular watering to prevent soil dryness during dry spells.
• Water at the base of plants to avoid leaf wetness, reducing the risk of fungal diseases, especially in a humid environment.

Fertilizing

• Apply a balanced fertilizer during planting and when the first fruits start forming. Incorporating compost before planting can enhance soil fertility and structure.

Pest and Disease Management

• Regularly monitor for common pests like aphids, cucumber beetles, and powdery mildew. Arkansas’s humidity can promote fungal diseases, so pest vigilance is essential.
• Implement organic or integrated pest management methods to protect cantaloupe plants from pests and diseases.

Harvesting

• Harvest cantaloupes when they reach the desired size and start to turn yellow at the blossom end. Regular harvesting promotes continuous fruiting.

Cantaloupe Facts

• Cantaloupes belong to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae.
• They are a great source of vitamins A and C.
• Cantaloupes are approximately 90% water, making them a hydrating fruit.
• They can weigh between 2 and 5 kg (4 to 11 lbs) when ripe.
• The orange flesh is sweet, fragrant, and delicious.

The importance of good soil

Before starting to grow it is important to take a step back and find the condition of the soil in your garden, The optimal soil is a blend that includes the mineral-rich dirt along with organic-rich organic matter that plants need to thrive.

In my garden I try to compost as much as possible, so I can mix in the nutrient-rich compost in my soil. I use both hot composting of food scraps and cold composting of all organic garden “waste”..
If you don’t have the time or space for composting, it is possible to get compost ready to use in garden centers and Community Composting.
You can read more on Community Composting here: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/community-composting

If you are uncertain of the quality of your soil, you can get easy to use soil tests at amazon for 17 dollars. Check latest prices here: Soil testing kit.

Also remember to check out how much sunlight your growing area gets, and that the rain drains well. If you treat your soil well and plan your crops according to your climate you will succeed with any plant you want.

The satisfaction when you harvest your own produce is well worth the time you put in 🙂