When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Wellington

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Wellington's last spring frost of Sep 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Aug 11 – Sep 1
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Sep 15 – Oct 6
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Nov 29 – Dec 24
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Wellington's 273-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Wellington'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
SEP 1
JUN 1

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around mid September (Sep 15–Oct 6) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

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

Expect to harvest from around late November (Nov 29–Dec 24) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 72%.

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

Start seeds indoors around mid August (Aug 11–Sep 1) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

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

Transplant outdoors around mid September (Sep 15–Oct 6) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

How long is the growing season in Wellington?

Wellington has roughly 273 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 Wellington's frost dates.

Confidence 80/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.