When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Riverside

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Riverside's last spring frost of Feb 16.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 12 – Apr 2
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 7 – Jun 28
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 21 – Sep 15
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Riverside's 293-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Riverside'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
FEB 16
DEC 6

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around early June (Jun 7–Jun 28) in Riverside, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

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

Expect to harvest from around late August (Aug 21–Sep 15) in Riverside, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 70%.

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

Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 12–Apr 2) in Riverside, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.

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

Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 7–Jun 28) in Riverside, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

How long is the growing season in Riverside?

Riverside has roughly 293 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 Riverside's frost dates.

Confidence 78/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.