Watermelon

Use our zone-based planting guide to know when to plant watermelon.

Plant name Zone Start seeds indoors (spring/fall) Start seeds outdoors (spring/fall) Plant seedlings/transplants outdoors (spring/fall) Plant spacing # plants per person
Watermelon 3a March 15-April 1 On/around May 30 (2 weeks after last frost) On/around May 30 (2 weeks after last frost) 4 feet 2
Watermelon 3b March 15-April 1 On/around May 30 (2 weeks after last frost) On/around May 30 (2 weeks after last frost) 4 feet 2
Watermelon 4a March 15-April 1 On/around May 30 (2 weeks after last frost) On/around May 30 (2 weeks after last frost) 4 feet 2
Watermelon 4b March 15-April 1 On/around May 30 (2 weeks after last frost) On/around May 30 (2 weeks after last frost) 4 feet 2
Watermelon 5a Feb. 15-March 1 On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) 4 feet 2
Watermelon 5b Feb. 15-March 1 On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) 4 feet 2
Watermelon 6a Feb. 15-March 1 On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) 4 feet 2
Watermelon 6b Feb. 15-March 1 On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) 4 feet 2
Watermelon 7a Feb. 15-March 1 On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) 4 feet 2
Watermelon 7b Feb. 15-March 1 On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) On/around April 30 (2 weeks after last frost) 4 feet 2
Watermelon 8a Jan. 15-Feb. 1 On/around March 30 (2 weeks after last frost) On/around March 30 (2 weeks after last frost) 4 feet 2
Watermelon 8b Jan. 15-Feb. 1 On/around March 30 (2 weeks after last frost) On/around March 30 (2 weeks after last frost) 4 feet 2
Watermelon 9a 6-8 weeks before planting outside Jan. 15-Feb. 15; Oct. 15-Nov. 15 Jan. 15-Feb. 15; Oct. 15-Nov. 15 4 feet 2
Watermelon 9b 6-8 weeks before planting outside Jan. 15-Feb. 15; Oct. 15-Nov. 15 Jan. 15-Feb. 15; Oct. 15-Nov. 15 4 feet 2
Watermelon 10a 6-8 weeks before planting outside March 1-30; Nov. 1-30 March 1-30; Nov. 1-30 4 feet 2
Watermelon 10b 6-8 weeks before planting outside March 1-30; Nov. 1-30 March 1-30; Nov. 1-30 4 feet 2
Watermelon 11a 6-8 weeks before planting outside March 1-30; Nov. 1-30 March 1-30; Nov. 1-30 4 feet 2
Watermelon 11b 6-8 weeks before planting outside March 1-30; Nov. 1-30 March 1-30; Nov. 1-30 4 feet 2

* Direct sow or transfer seedlings 2 weeks after any threat of frost has passed.