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When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Cincinnati

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Cincinnati's last spring frost of Apr 13.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 13 – May 4
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 18 – Jul 9
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Sep 1 – Sep 26
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Cincinnati's 194-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Cincinnati'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
APR 13
OCT 22

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around mid June (Jun 18–Jul 9) in Cincinnati, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

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

Expect to harvest from around early September (Sep 1–Sep 26) in Cincinnati, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

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

Start seeds indoors around mid April (Apr 13–May 4) in Cincinnati, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

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

Transplant outdoors around mid June (Jun 18–Jul 9) in Cincinnati, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

How long is the growing season in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has roughly 194 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 Cincinnati's frost dates.

Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.
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