When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Atlanta
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Atlanta's last spring frost of Mar 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 21 – Apr 11
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 19 – Jun 9
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 2 – Aug 27
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Atlanta's 229-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Atlanta'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
MAR 28
NOV 7
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Atlanta?
Direct-sow around mid May (May 19–Jun 9) in Atlanta, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Atlanta?
Expect to harvest from around early August (Aug 2–Aug 27) in Atlanta, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Atlanta?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 21–Apr 11) in Atlanta, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Atlanta?
Transplant outdoors around mid May (May 19–Jun 9) in Atlanta, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
How long is the growing season in Atlanta?
Atlanta has roughly 229 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 Atlanta's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.