When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Bakersfield

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Bakersfield's last spring frost of Feb 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 5 – Feb 26
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 21 – Jun 11
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 4 – Aug 29
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Bakersfield's 315-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Bakersfield'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
FEB 3
DEC 8

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around late May (May 21–Jun 11) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

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

Expect to harvest from around early August (Aug 4–Aug 29) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

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

Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 5–Feb 26) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

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

Transplant outdoors around late May (May 21–Jun 11) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

How long is the growing season in Bakersfield?

Bakersfield has roughly 315 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 Bakersfield's frost dates.

Confidence 86/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.