When to plant Watermelon and cantaloupe in Colorado
In spring, from Apr 20 – June 1 in Grand Junction to June 15 – July 1 in Monument.
For a fall crop, from May 15 – June 1 in Arvada to June 15 – July 20 in Grand Junction.
Cantaloupe (muskmelon) dates are the same as watermelon except where the table notes them.
USDA's earliest safe spring and latest safe fall planting dates, matched to each place's average frost dates.
| Place | Spring | Fall |
|---|---|---|
| Arvada | May 15 – June 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Aurora | June 1 – 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Berthoud | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Boulder | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Brighton | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Broomfield | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Cañon City | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Castle Pines | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Castle Rock | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Centennial | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Colorado Springs | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Commerce City | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Denver | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Durango | June 15 – July 1Cantaloupe (muskmelon): not listed | May 15 – June 1 |
| Englewood | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Erie | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Evans | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Federal Heights | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Firestone | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Fort Collins | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Fort Morgan | June 1 – 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Fountain | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Frederick | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Fruita | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Glenwood Springs | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Golden | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Grand Junction | Apr 20 – June 1 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Greeley | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Greenwood Village | June 1 – 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Johnstown | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Lafayette | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Lakewood | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Littleton | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Lone Tree | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Longmont | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Louisville | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Loveland | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Montrose | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Monument | June 15 – July 1Cantaloupe (muskmelon): not listed | May 15 – June 1 |
| Northglenn | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Parker | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Pueblo | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Rifle | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Severance | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Steamboat Springs | Not listed | Not listed |
| Sterling | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Superior | June 1 – 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Thornton | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Timnath | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Wellington | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Westminster | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Wheat Ridge | May 15 – June 15 | May 15 – June 1 |
| Windsor | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), tables 4 and 5. Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. The full USDA table for watermelon.
Updated