When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Kyoto
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Kyoto's last spring frost of Apr 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 11 – Apr 1
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 15 – May 6
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 29 – Jul 24
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Kyoto's 241-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Kyoto'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 1
NOV 28
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Kyoto?
Direct-sow around mid April (Apr 15–May 6) in Kyoto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Kyoto?
Expect to harvest from around late June (Jun 29–Jul 24) in Kyoto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Kyoto?
Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 11–Apr 1) in Kyoto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Kyoto?
Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 15–May 6) in Kyoto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Kyoto?
Kyoto has roughly 241 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 Kyoto's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.