When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Newark
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Newark's last spring frost of Apr 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 22 – Apr 12
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 9 – Jun 30
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 23 – Sep 17
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Newark's 223-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Newark'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
APR 3
NOV 11
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Newark?
Direct-sow around early June (Jun 9–Jun 30) in Newark, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Newark?
Expect to harvest from around late August (Aug 23–Sep 17) in Newark, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Newark?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 22–Apr 12) in Newark, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Newark?
Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 9–Jun 30) in Newark, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
How long is the growing season in Newark?
Newark has roughly 223 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 Newark's frost dates.
Confidence 86/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.