When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Jacksonville

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Jacksonville's last spring frost of Feb 9.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 7 – Feb 28
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 19 – May 10
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 3 – Jul 28
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Jacksonville's 311-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Jacksonville'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
FEB 9
DEC 17

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around mid April (Apr 19–May 10) in Jacksonville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

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

Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 3–Jul 28) in Jacksonville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

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

Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 7–Feb 28) in Jacksonville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

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

Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 19–May 10) in Jacksonville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

How long is the growing season in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville has roughly 311 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 Jacksonville's frost dates.

Confidence 84/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.