When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Reno
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Reno's last spring frost of Apr 25.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 28 – May 19
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 25 – Jul 16
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Sep 8 – Oct 3
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Reno's 180-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Reno'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 25
OCT 24
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Reno?
Direct-sow around late June (Jun 25–Jul 16) in Reno, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Reno?
Expect to harvest from around early September (Sep 8–Oct 3) in Reno, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Reno?
Start seeds indoors around late April (Apr 28–May 19) in Reno, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Reno?
Transplant outdoors around late June (Jun 25–Jul 16) in Reno, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in Reno?
Reno has roughly 180 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 Reno's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.