When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Raleigh
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Raleigh's last spring frost of Mar 26.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 21 – Apr 11
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 29 – Jun 19
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 12 – Sep 6
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Raleigh's 227-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Raleigh'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
MAR 26
NOV 9
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Raleigh?
Direct-sow around late May (May 29–Jun 19) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Raleigh?
Expect to harvest from around mid August (Aug 12–Sep 6) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Raleigh?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 21–Apr 11) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Raleigh?
Transplant outdoors around late May (May 29–Jun 19) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Raleigh?
Raleigh has roughly 227 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 Raleigh's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.