When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Jackson
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Jackson's last spring frost of Mar 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 22 – Mar 15
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 9 – May 30
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 23 – Aug 17
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Jackson's 267-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Jackson'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
MAR 3
NOV 20
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Jackson?
Direct-sow around early May (May 9–May 30) in Jackson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Jackson?
Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 23–Aug 17) in Jackson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Jackson?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 22–Mar 15) in Jackson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Jackson?
Transplant outdoors around early May (May 9–May 30) in Jackson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
How long is the growing season in Jackson?
Jackson has roughly 267 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 Jackson's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.