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When to Plant Watermelon in Crook County, OR

Watermelon

Watermelon is a sprawling vine crop that produces sweet, juicy fruits in hot weather. Varieties range from personal-sized icebox types to 50-pound giants.

Crook County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost is September 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 102 days.

At an elevation of 2,233 feet, Crook County receives approximately 21 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Watermelon during the growing season.

Crook County, OR (Zone 6a) Short season
102 days
Last Spring Frost June 9
102 growing days
First Fall Frost September 19

Crook County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Watermelon to Grow

15-20 lbs
Average yield per plant
1
Plants per person
2 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 4 watermelon plants in about 8 sq ft. In Crook County's 102-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Watermelon Planting Timeline — Crook County, OR

Watermelon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 5 May 5 – May 19
Transplant Outdoors June 23 Jun 23 – Jul 7
Direct Sow June 16 Jun 16 – Jul 7
Harvest September 1 Sep 1 – Oct 20

Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Start Indoors
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
August
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

102 days in Crook County

Growing Tips for Crook County

Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks early or direct sow after soil is warm. Plant on mounds with plenty of space. Check ripeness by looking for a yellow ground spot and dull thump when tapped.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Watermelon in Crook County, OR?

Crook County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 9. Plan your Watermelon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crook County, OR?

Crook County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and first fall frost is September 19.

🌱

Your Crook County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Crook County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Crook County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.