When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Arlington

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Arlington's last spring frost of Mar 6.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 6 – Mar 27
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 16 – Jun 6
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 30 – Aug 24
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Arlington's 266-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Arlington'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
MAR 6
NOV 23

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around mid May (May 16–Jun 6) in Arlington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

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

Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 30–Aug 24) in Arlington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

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

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 6–Mar 27) in Arlington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

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

Transplant outdoors around mid May (May 16–Jun 6) in Arlington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

How long is the growing season in Arlington?

Arlington has roughly 266 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 Arlington's frost dates.

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