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When to Plant Melon in Maine

Melons are warm-season vine crops that produce sweet, juicy fruits in many varieties including muskmelon and honeydew. They need a long, hot growing season.

Maine spans USDA hardiness zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Melon planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Melon Planting Calendar for Maine

Zone 4a ~145 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 6 · First frost: September 28 · 145 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors May 27 May 27 – Jun 10
Direct Sow May 20 May 20 – Jun 10
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 – Sep 23
Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors May 22 May 22 – Jun 5
Direct Sow May 15 May 15 – Jun 5
Harvest July 31 Jul 31 – Sep 18
Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 – May 23
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 – May 23
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 – Sep 5
Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 – May 16
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 – Aug 29

Growing Tips for Maine

Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting. Plant on raised mounds of compost-enriched soil. Reduce watering as fruits ripen to concentrate sweetness.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Melon in Maine?

Planting dates for Melon in Maine depend on your USDA zone. Maine spans zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Maine for planting?

Maine contains USDA hardiness zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.