When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Los Angeles
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Los Angeles's last spring frost.
Step 1 · Sow
Direct sow outdoors
Jun 15 – Jul 6
Sow straight into warm, workable soil.
Step 2 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 29 – Sep 23
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
From sowing to first pick.
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Los Angeles?
Direct-sow around mid June (Jun 15–Jul 6) in Los Angeles, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Los Angeles?
Expect to harvest from around late August (Aug 29–Sep 23) in Los Angeles, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 72%.
How long is the growing season in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has roughly 365 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 Los Angeles's frost dates.
Confidence 80/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.