When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Montreal

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Montreal's last spring frost of Apr 19.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 9 – Apr 30
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jul 1 – Jul 22
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Sep 14 – Oct 9
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Montreal's 192-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Montreal'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
APR 19
OCT 28

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around early July (Jul 1–Jul 22) in Montreal, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

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

Expect to harvest from around mid September (Sep 14–Oct 9) in Montreal, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

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

Start seeds indoors around early April (Apr 9–Apr 30) in Montreal, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

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

Transplant outdoors around early July (Jul 1–Jul 22) in Montreal, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

How long is the growing season in Montreal?

Montreal has roughly 192 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 Montreal's frost dates.

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