When to plant Watermelon and cantaloupe in Arizona
In spring, from Feb 15 – Apr 1 in Apache Junction to May 15 – June 15 in Show Low.
In fall, from May 15 – June 1 in Flagstaff to July 15 – 30 in Sierra Vista.
Cantaloupe (muskmelon) dates are the same as watermelon except where the table notes them.
USDA's earliest safe spring and latest safe fall planting dates, matched to each place's average frost dates.
| Place | Spring | Fall |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Junction | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | Not listed |
| Avondale | — | Not listed |
| Buckeye | — | Not listed |
| Bullhead City | — | Not listed |
| Camp Verde | May 1 – June 15 | July 1 – 15 |
| Casa Grande | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | Not listed |
| Chandler | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | Not listed |
| Chino Valley | May 15 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Coolidge | Feb 15 – Apr 15 | Not listed |
| Cottonwood | Apr 10 – May 15 | July 15 – 30 |
| Douglas | Apr 1 – May 1 | July 15 – 30 |
| El Mirage | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Not listed |
| Eloy | Mar 1 – Apr 15 | Not listed |
| Flagstaff | Not listed | May 15 – June 1 |
| Florence | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Not listed |
| Fountain Hills | — | Not listed |
| Gilbert | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Not listed |
| Glendale | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Not listed |
| Goodyear | — | Not listed |
| Kingman | Apr 10 – May 15 | July 15 – 30 |
| Lake Havasu City | — | Not listed |
| Marana | Apr 10 – May 15 | July 15 – 30 |
| Maricopa | Feb 15 – Apr 15 | Not listed |
| Mesa | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Not listed |
| Nogales | Apr 1 – May 1 | Not listed |
| Oro Valley | Apr 10 – May 15 | July 15 – 30 |
| Paradise Valley | — | Not listed |
| Payson | May 15 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Peoria | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | Not listed |
| Phoenix | — | Not listed |
| Prescott | May 15 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Prescott Valley | May 15 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Queen Creek | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Not listed |
| Safford | Apr 1 – May 1 | July 15 – 30 |
| Sahuarita | Mar 1 – Apr 15 | Not listed |
| San Luis | — | Not listed |
| Scottsdale | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Not listed |
| Show Low | May 15 – June 15 | June 1 – 15 |
| Sierra Vista | Apr 20 – June 1 | July 15 – 30 |
| Somerton | — | Not listed |
| Surprise | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | Not listed |
| Tempe | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | Not listed |
| Tucson | Feb 15 – Apr 1 | Not listed |
| Yuma | — | Not listed |
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), tables 4 and 5. Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. “—” means outside the table. The full USDA table for watermelon.