When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Orlando
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Orlando's last spring frost of Jan 19.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 30 – Feb 20
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 10 – May 1
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 24 – Jul 19
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Orlando's 336-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Orlando'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
JAN 19
DEC 21
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Orlando?
Direct-sow around early April (Apr 10–May 1) in Orlando, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Orlando?
Expect to harvest from around late June (Jun 24–Jul 19) in Orlando, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 72%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Orlando?
Start seeds indoors around late January (Jan 30–Feb 20) in Orlando, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Orlando?
Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 10–May 1) in Orlando, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
How long is the growing season in Orlando?
Orlando has roughly 336 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 Orlando's frost dates.
Confidence 80/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.