When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Charleston

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Charleston's last spring frost of Feb 8.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 11 – Mar 4
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 12 – Jun 2
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 26 – Aug 20
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Charleston's 310-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Charleston'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 8
DEC 15

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around mid May (May 12–Jun 2) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

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

Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 26–Aug 20) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

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

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 11–Mar 4) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

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

Transplant outdoors around mid May (May 12–Jun 2) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

How long is the growing season in Charleston?

Charleston has roughly 310 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 Charleston's frost dates.

Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.