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SowingDates

When to plant watermelon

Vegetable, tender

Seedlings should be 3–5 weeks old when set out 1–2 weeks after the last frost (Clemson HGIC 1259), so start them indoors 2–4 weeks before it; or direct-sow 1–2 weeks after the last frost into warm soil. Fruit takes about 80–100 days.

The general rule

Start indoors
2–4 weeks before the last spring frost
Transplant outdoors
1–2 weeks after the last spring frost
Sow outdoors
1–2 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant when soil reaches
60°F
Days to maturity
80–100 days

What that means in different climates

The same rule applied to the safer frost dates of cities from cold to frost-free.

Watermelon planting dates in example cities
CityLast frost · saferStart indoorsTransplant outdoorsSow outdoors
San Jose, CAJan 23Dec 26 – Jan 9Jan 30 – Feb 6Jan 30 – Feb 6
Tucson, AZMar 2Feb 2 – Feb 16Mar 9 – Mar 16Mar 9 – Mar 16
Portland, ORMar 21Feb 21 – Mar 7Mar 28 – Apr 4Mar 28 – Apr 4
Baltimore, MDApr 4Mar 7 – Mar 21Apr 11 – Apr 18Apr 11 – Apr 18
New York, NYApr 12Mar 15 – Mar 29Apr 19 – Apr 26Apr 19 – Apr 26
Nashville, TNApr 16Mar 19 – Apr 2Apr 23 – Apr 30Apr 23 – Apr 30
Louisville, KYApr 23Mar 26 – Apr 9Apr 30 – May 7Apr 30 – May 7
Omaha, NEMay 6Apr 8 – Apr 22May 13 – May 20May 13 – May 20
Colorado Springs, COMay 15Apr 17 – May 1May 22 – May 29May 22 – May 29
Miami, FLFrost rareFrost is rare: late winter to spring; late summer to fall (soil 60°F+).

Sources