Blog

When to Plant Watermelon in Goliad County, TX

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.

Goliad County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 24 and the first fall frost is December 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 283 days.

At an elevation of 3,928 feet, Goliad County receives approximately 62.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Watermelon may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Watermelon root diseases.

Goliad County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
283 days
Last Spring Frost February 24
283 growing days
First Fall Frost December 4

Goliad County Soil Profile

Soil Type

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 Goliad County's 283-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Watermelon Planting Timeline — Goliad County, TX

Watermelon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 27 Jan 27 – Feb 10
Transplant Outdoors March 3 Mar 3 – Mar 17
Direct Sow February 24 Feb 24 – Mar 17
Harvest May 12 May 12 – Jun 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September
October
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 9b

📆 Growing Season

283 days in Goliad County

Growing Tips for Goliad 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 Goliad County, TX?

Goliad County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 24. Plan your Watermelon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Goliad County, TX?

Goliad County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 24 and first fall frost is December 4.

🌱

Your Goliad County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Goliad County (Zone 9b). 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 Goliad County, TX. 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.