When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Tampa
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Tampa's last spring frost.
Step 1 · Sow
Direct sow outdoors
Mar 21 – Apr 11
Sow straight into warm, workable soil.
Step 2 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 4 – Jun 29
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
From sowing to first pick.
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Tampa?
Direct-sow around late March (Mar 21–Apr 11) in Tampa, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Tampa?
Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 4–Jun 29) in Tampa, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 69%.
How long is the growing season in Tampa?
Tampa has roughly 365 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 Tampa's frost dates.
Confidence 77/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.