When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Canberra

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Canberra's last spring frost of Oct 20.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Sep 29 – Oct 20
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Nov 3 – Nov 24
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jan 17 – Feb 11
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Canberra's 182-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Canberra'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
OCT 20
APR 20

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around early November (Nov 3–Nov 24) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

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

Expect to harvest from around mid January (Jan 17–Feb 11) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.

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

Start seeds indoors around late September (Sep 29–Oct 20) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

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

Transplant outdoors around early November (Nov 3–Nov 24) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

How long is the growing season in Canberra?

Canberra has roughly 182 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 Canberra's frost dates.

Confidence 82/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.