When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Vancouver

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Vancouver's last spring frost of Mar 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 7 – Mar 28
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 11 – May 2
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 25 – Jul 20
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Vancouver's 222-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Vancouver'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
MAR 28
NOV 5

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around mid April (Apr 11–May 2) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

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

Expect to harvest from around late June (Jun 25–Jul 20) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

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

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 7–Mar 28) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

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

Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 11–May 2) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

How long is the growing season in Vancouver?

Vancouver has roughly 222 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 Vancouver's frost dates.

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