When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Edinburgh

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Edinburgh's last spring frost of May 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 10 – May 1
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 15 – Jun 5
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 29 – Aug 23
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Edinburgh's 170-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Edinburgh'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
MAY 1
OCT 18

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around mid May (May 15–Jun 5) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

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

Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 29–Aug 23) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.

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

Start seeds indoors around early April (Apr 10–May 1) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

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

Transplant outdoors around mid May (May 15–Jun 5) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

How long is the growing season in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has roughly 170 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 Edinburgh's frost dates.

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