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When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Indianapolis

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Indianapolis's last spring frost of Apr 17.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 12 – May 3
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 20 – Jul 11
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Sep 3 – Sep 28
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Indianapolis's 178-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Indianapolis'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 17
OCT 14

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around mid June (Jun 20–Jul 11) in Indianapolis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

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

Expect to harvest from around early September (Sep 3–Sep 28) in Indianapolis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.

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

Start seeds indoors around mid April (Apr 12–May 3) in Indianapolis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

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

Transplant outdoors around mid June (Jun 20–Jul 11) in Indianapolis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

How long is the growing season in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has roughly 178 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 Indianapolis's frost dates.

Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.
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