When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in New Orleans

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off New Orleans's last spring frost of Feb 8.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 18 – Mar 11
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 1 – May 22
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 15 – Aug 9
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
New Orleans's 304-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on New Orleans'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 8
DEC 9

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around early May (May 1–May 22) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

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

Expect to harvest from around mid July (Jul 15–Aug 9) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 73%.

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

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 18–Mar 11) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

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

Transplant outdoors around early May (May 1–May 22) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

How long is the growing season in New Orleans?

New Orleans has roughly 304 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 New Orleans's frost dates.

Confidence 81/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.