When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Birmingham

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Birmingham's last spring frost of Apr 24.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 3 – Apr 24
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 8 – May 29
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 22 – Aug 16
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Birmingham's 181-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Birmingham'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 24
OCT 22

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around early May (May 8–May 29) in Birmingham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

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

Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 22–Aug 16) in Birmingham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

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

Start seeds indoors around early April (Apr 3–Apr 24) in Birmingham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

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

Transplant outdoors around early May (May 8–May 29) in Birmingham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

How long is the growing season in Birmingham?

Birmingham has roughly 181 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 Birmingham's frost dates.

Confidence 84/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.