When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Denver
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Denver's last spring frost of May 4.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 30 – May 21
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 26 – Jul 17
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Sep 9 – Oct 4
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Denver's 157-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Denver'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
MAY 4
OCT 10
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Denver?
Direct-sow around late June (Jun 26–Jul 17) in Denver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Denver?
Expect to harvest from around early September (Sep 9–Oct 4) in Denver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Denver?
Start seeds indoors around late April (Apr 30–May 21) in Denver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Denver?
Transplant outdoors around late June (Jun 26–Jul 17) in Denver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Denver?
Denver has roughly 157 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 Denver's frost dates.
Confidence 85/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.