When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Adelaide

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Adelaide's last spring frost of Aug 15.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jul 25 – Aug 15
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Aug 29 – Sep 19
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Nov 12 – Dec 7
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Adelaide's 304-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Adelaide's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
AUG 15
JUN 15

Common questions

When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Adelaide?

Direct-sow around late August (Aug 29–Sep 19) in Adelaide, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Adelaide?

Expect to harvest from around mid November (Nov 12–Dec 7) in Adelaide, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 72%.

When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Adelaide?

Start seeds indoors around late July (Jul 25–Aug 15) in Adelaide, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Adelaide?

Transplant outdoors around late August (Aug 29–Sep 19) in Adelaide, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

How long is the growing season in Adelaide?

Adelaide has roughly 304 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) to maturity outdoors.

The rule of thumb

Sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Adelaide's frost dates.

Confidence 80/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.