Blog

When to Plant Watermelon in Throckmorton 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.

Throckmorton County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,952 feet, Throckmorton County receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°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.

Throckmorton County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Throckmorton 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 Throckmorton County's 223-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Watermelon Planting Timeline — Throckmorton County, TX

Watermelon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 – Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 28
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 – Aug 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

📆 Growing Season

223 days in Throckmorton County

Growing Tips for Throckmorton 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 Throckmorton County, TX?

Throckmorton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Watermelon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Throckmorton County, TX?

Throckmorton County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 9.

🌱

Your Throckmorton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Throckmorton County (Zone 8a). 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 Throckmorton County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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