When to plant Watermelon and cantaloupe in Maryland
In spring, from Apr 1 – May 1 in Baltimore to May 1 – June 15 in Westminster.
For a fall crop, from June 15 – July 20 in Bowie to July 15 – 30 in Takoma Park.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | Apr 20 – June 1 | July 1 – 15 |
| Annapolis | Apr 10 – May 15 | July 15 – 30 |
| Baltimore | Apr 1 – May 1 | Not listed |
| Bel Air | Apr 20 – June 1 | July 1 – 15 |
| Bowie | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Cambridge | Apr 10 – May 15 | July 15 – 30 |
| College Park | Apr 20 – June 1 | July 1 – 15 |
| Cumberland | Apr 20 – June 1 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Easton | Apr 10 – May 15 | July 15 – 30 |
| Elkton | Apr 20 – June 1 | July 1 – 15 |
| Frederick | Apr 10 – May 15 | July 15 – 30 |
| Gaithersburg | Apr 10 – May 15 | July 15 – 30 |
| Greenbelt | Apr 20 – June 1 | July 1 – 15 |
| Hagerstown | Apr 20 – June 1 | July 1 – 15 |
| Havre de Grace | Apr 20 – June 1 | July 1 – 15 |
| Hyattsville | Apr 10 – May 15 | July 15 – 30 |
| La Plata | May 1 – June 15 | July 1 – 15 |
| Laurel | Apr 20 – June 1 | July 15 – 30 |
| New Carrollton | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
| Rockville | Apr 10 – May 15 | July 15 – 30 |
| Salisbury | Apr 10 – May 15 | July 15 – 30 |
| Takoma Park | Apr 10 – May 15 | July 15 – 30 |
| Westminster | May 1 – June 15 | June 15 – July 20 |
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), tables 4 and 5. Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. The full USDA table for watermelon.
Updated