When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Dunedin

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Dunedin's last spring frost of Oct 18.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Sep 27 – Oct 18
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Nov 1 – Nov 22
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jan 15 – Feb 9
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Dunedin's 178-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Dunedin'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
OCT 18
APR 14

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around early November (Nov 1–Nov 22) in Dunedin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 68%.

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

Expect to harvest from around mid January (Jan 15–Feb 9) in Dunedin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 61%.

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

Start seeds indoors around late September (Sep 27–Oct 18) in Dunedin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 65%.

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

Transplant outdoors around early November (Nov 1–Nov 22) in Dunedin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 68%.

How long is the growing season in Dunedin?

Dunedin has roughly 178 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 Dunedin's frost dates.

Confidence 68/100 · NASA POWER (modeled) · 1991–2020 · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.