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Melon (cantaloupe): when to sow, plant out and harvest

Sowing, planting and harvest dates for your climate, good and bad companions, growing tips.

When to sow in your region

Average dates, computed from the frost dates of each climate. For your exact dates, choose your town.

ClimateSow under coverSow outdoorsPlant outHarvest
Northern France4 March – 24 March29 April – 12 May29 April – 12 May1 July – 31 October
Atlantic coast22 February – 14 March19 April – 2 May19 April – 2 May21 June – 4 November
Eastern France24 February – 16 March21 April – 4 May21 April – 4 May23 June – 29 October
Mediterranean21 January – 10 February18 March – 31 March18 March – 31 March20 May – 20 November
Mountains (around 1,000 m)29 March – 18 April24 May – 6 June24 May – 6 June26 July – 29 September

Growing

Family
Cucurbitaceae
Latin name
Cucumis melo
Cold tolerance
Tender (killed by frost)
Soil temperature to germinate
16–20 °C minimum
Emergence
3–12 days
Between rows
100–120 cm
In the row
60–80 cm
To harvest
85 days

Companion planting

The level of evidence is shown for each pairing: many rest on tradition rather than on studies.

Good neighbours

Keep apart

Sources