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When to Plant Watermelon in San Saba 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.

San Saba County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.

At an elevation of 3,436 feet, San Saba County receives approximately 60.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Watermelon during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Watermelon root diseases.

San Saba County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
240 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
240 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

San Saba 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 San Saba County's 240-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Watermelon Planting Timeline — San Saba County, TX

Watermelon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 16
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 – Jul 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 8b

📆 Growing Season

240 days in San Saba County

Growing Tips for San Saba 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 San Saba County, TX?

San Saba County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Watermelon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is San Saba County, TX?

San Saba County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 14.

🌱

Your San Saba County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for San Saba County (Zone 8b). 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 San Saba County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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