when.garden

When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Melbourne

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Melbourne's last spring frost of Aug 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Aug 7 – Aug 28
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Sep 11 – Oct 2
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Nov 25 – Dec 20
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Melbourne's 270-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Melbourne'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 28
MAY 25

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around mid September (Sep 11–Oct 2) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

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

Expect to harvest from around late November (Nov 25–Dec 20) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

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

Start seeds indoors around early August (Aug 7–Aug 28) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

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

Transplant outdoors around mid September (Sep 11–Oct 2) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

How long is the growing season in Melbourne?

Melbourne has roughly 270 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 Melbourne's frost dates.

Confidence 86/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.
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