When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Durham
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Durham's last spring frost of Apr 2.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 21 – Apr 11
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 5 – Jun 26
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 19 – Sep 13
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Durham's 218-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Durham'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 2
NOV 1
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Durham?
Direct-sow around early June (Jun 5–Jun 26) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Durham?
Expect to harvest from around mid August (Aug 19–Sep 13) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Durham?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 21–Apr 11) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Durham?
Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 5–Jun 26) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in Durham?
Durham has roughly 218 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 Durham's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.