When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Bordeaux

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Bordeaux's last spring frost of Apr 10.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 20 – Apr 10
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 24 – May 15
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 8 – Aug 2
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Bordeaux's 209-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Bordeaux'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 10
NOV 5

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around late April (Apr 24–May 15) in Bordeaux, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

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

Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 8–Aug 2) in Bordeaux, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.

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

Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 20–Apr 10) in Bordeaux, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

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

Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 24–May 15) in Bordeaux, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

How long is the growing season in Bordeaux?

Bordeaux has roughly 209 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 Bordeaux's frost dates.

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