When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Madison
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Madison's last spring frost of May 5.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
May 2 – May 23
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 28 – Jul 19
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Sep 11 – Oct 6
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Madison's 151-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Madison'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
MAY 5
OCT 6
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Madison?
Direct-sow around late June (Jun 28–Jul 19) in Madison, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Madison?
Expect to harvest from around mid September (Sep 11–Oct 6) in Madison, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Madison?
Start seeds indoors around early May (May 2–May 23) in Madison, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Madison?
Transplant outdoors around late June (Jun 28–Jul 19) in Madison, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Madison?
Madison has roughly 151 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 Madison's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.