When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in New York City

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off New York City's last spring frost of Mar 30.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 20 – Apr 10
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 10 – Jul 1
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 24 – Sep 18
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
New York City's 234-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on New York City'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
MAR 30
NOV 19

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around early June (Jun 10–Jul 1) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

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

Expect to harvest from around late August (Aug 24–Sep 18) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

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

Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 20–Apr 10) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

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

Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 10–Jul 1) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

How long is the growing season in New York City?

New York City has roughly 234 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 York City's frost dates.

Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.