When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Gilbert
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Gilbert's last spring frost of Feb 6.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 9 – Mar 2
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 29 – May 20
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 13 – Aug 7
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Gilbert's 303-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Gilbert'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
FEB 6
DEC 6
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Gilbert?
Direct-sow around late April (Apr 29–May 20) in Gilbert, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Gilbert?
Expect to harvest from around mid July (Jul 13–Aug 7) in Gilbert, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Gilbert?
Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 9–Mar 2) in Gilbert, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Gilbert?
Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 29–May 20) in Gilbert, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in Gilbert?
Gilbert has roughly 303 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 Gilbert's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.