When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Stockton

Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Stockton's last spring frost of Feb 12.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 19 – Mar 12
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 8 – Jun 29
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 22 – Sep 16
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Stockton's 284-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Stockton'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 12
NOV 27

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around early June (Jun 8–Jun 29) in Stockton, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

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

Expect to harvest from around late August (Aug 22–Sep 16) in Stockton, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

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

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 19–Mar 12) in Stockton, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

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

Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 8–Jun 29) in Stockton, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

How long is the growing season in Stockton?

Stockton has roughly 284 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 Stockton's frost dates.

Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.