When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Manchester

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Manchester's last spring frost of May 2.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 26 – May 17
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jul 6 – Jul 27
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Sep 19 – Oct 14
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Manchester's 161-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Manchester'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
MAY 2
OCT 12

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around early July (Jul 6–Jul 27) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

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

Expect to harvest from around mid September (Sep 19–Oct 14) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

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

Start seeds indoors around late April (Apr 26–May 17) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

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

Transplant outdoors around early July (Jul 6–Jul 27) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

How long is the growing season in Manchester?

Manchester has roughly 161 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 Manchester's frost dates.

Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.