When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Austin
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Austin's last spring frost of Feb 15.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 15 – Mar 8
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 19 – May 10
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 3 – Jul 28
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Austin's 286-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Austin'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
FEB 15
DEC 2
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Austin?
Direct-sow around mid April (Apr 19–May 10) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Austin?
Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 3–Jul 28) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Austin?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 15–Mar 8) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Austin?
Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 19–May 10) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
How long is the growing season in Austin?
Austin has roughly 286 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 Austin's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.