When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Baltimore

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Baltimore's last spring frost of Mar 21.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 10 – Mar 31
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 4 – Jun 25
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 18 – Sep 12
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Baltimore's 249-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Baltimore'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 21
NOV 27

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around early June (Jun 4–Jun 25) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

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

Expect to harvest from around mid August (Aug 18–Sep 12) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

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

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 10–Mar 31) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

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

Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 4–Jun 25) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

How long is the growing season in Baltimore?

Baltimore has roughly 249 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 Baltimore's frost dates.

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