When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Paris
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Paris's last spring frost of Apr 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 30 – Apr 20
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jul 29 – Aug 19
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Oct 12 – Nov 6
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Paris's 221-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Paris'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
FROST
FROST
APR 3
NOV 11
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Paris?
Direct-sow around late July (Jul 29–Aug 19) in Paris, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Paris?
Expect to harvest from around mid October (Oct 12–Nov 6) in Paris, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Paris?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 30–Apr 20) in Paris, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Paris?
Transplant outdoors around late July (Jul 29–Aug 19) in Paris, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Paris?
Paris has roughly 221 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 Paris's frost dates.
Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.