When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Buffalo
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Buffalo's last spring frost of Apr 30.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 27 – May 18
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jul 15 – Aug 5
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Sep 28 – Oct 23
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Buffalo's 162-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Buffalo'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
APR 30
OCT 17
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Buffalo?
Direct-sow around mid July (Jul 15–Aug 5) in Buffalo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Buffalo?
Expect to harvest from around late September (Sep 28–Oct 23) in Buffalo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Buffalo?
Start seeds indoors around late April (Apr 27–May 18) in Buffalo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Buffalo?
Transplant outdoors around mid July (Jul 15–Aug 5) in Buffalo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Buffalo?
Buffalo has roughly 162 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 Buffalo's frost dates.
Confidence 85/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.