When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Sydney

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Sydney's last spring frost.
Step 1 · Sow
Direct sow outdoors
Nov 24 – Dec 15
Sow straight into warm, workable soil.
Step 2 · Harvest
Harvest window
Feb 7 – Mar 4
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
From sowing to first pick.

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around late November (Nov 24–Dec 15) in Sydney, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

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

Expect to harvest from around early February (Feb 7–Mar 4) in Sydney, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

How long is the growing season in Sydney?

Sydney has roughly 365 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 Sydney's frost dates.

Confidence 85/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.