When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Providence

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Providence's last spring frost of Apr 11.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 31 – Apr 21
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 29 – Jul 20
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Sep 12 – Oct 7
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Providence's 200-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Providence'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
APR 11
OCT 30

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around late June (Jun 29–Jul 20) in Providence, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

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

Expect to harvest from around mid September (Sep 12–Oct 7) in Providence, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

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

Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 31–Apr 21) in Providence, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

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

Transplant outdoors around late June (Jun 29–Jul 20) in Providence, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

How long is the growing season in Providence?

Providence has roughly 200 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 Providence's frost dates.

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