When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Fresno
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Fresno's last spring frost of Jan 31.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 3 – Feb 24
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 21 – Jun 11
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 4 – Aug 29
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Fresno's 313-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Fresno'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
JAN 31
DEC 5
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Fresno?
Direct-sow around late May (May 21–Jun 11) in Fresno, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Fresno?
Expect to harvest from around early August (Aug 4–Aug 29) in Fresno, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Fresno?
Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 3–Feb 24) in Fresno, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Fresno?
Transplant outdoors around late May (May 21–Jun 11) in Fresno, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Fresno?
Fresno has roughly 313 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 Fresno's frost dates.
Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.