When to plant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) in Tucson
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) is frost-tender, so every date keys off Tucson's last spring frost of Feb 27.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 24 – Mar 17
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 7 – May 28
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 21 – Aug 15
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
75 – 100 d
Tucson's 278-day season leaves this much room.
Melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) on Tucson'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
FEB 27
NOV 27
Common questions
When can I sow melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Tucson?
Direct-sow around early May (May 7–May 28) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
When will melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) be ready to harvest in Tucson?
Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 21–Aug 15) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) seeds indoors in Tucson?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 24–Mar 17) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant melon (cantaloupe/watermelon) outdoors in Tucson?
Transplant outdoors around early May (May 7–May 28) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in Tucson?
Tucson has roughly 278 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 Tucson's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.