Watermelon Planting Guide
May is for watermelon
Whether you're sowing, transplanting, or harvesting, watermelon needs the right timing. Check your zone below for exact dates.
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How to water watermelon
Consistent moisture matters more than volume for watermelon. Little and often beats occasional drenching.
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Where to put watermelon
South-facing beds are ideal for watermelon. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
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Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant watermelon. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
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.
Citrullus lanatus · Vegetable · Cucurbitaceae family · 70–100 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Watermelon Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Watermelon?
Watermelon Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Watermelon planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | May 20 | May 27 | Aug 5 – Sep 23 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | May 15 | May 22 | Jul 31 – Sep 18 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | May 2 | May 9 | Jul 18 – Sep 5 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 25 | May 2 | Jul 11 – Aug 29 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Apr 17 | Apr 24 | Jul 3 – Aug 21 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Apr 10 | Apr 17 | Jun 26 – Aug 14 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 25 | Apr 1 | Apr 8 | Jun 17 – Aug 5 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 18 | Mar 25 | Apr 1 | Jun 10 – Jul 29 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 8 | Mar 15 | Mar 22 | May 31 – Jul 19 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 28 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | May 20 – Jul 8 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Feb 10 | Feb 17 | Apr 28 – Jun 16 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 25 | Feb 1 | Apr 12 – May 31 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 19 – May 7 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 19 – May 7 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 19 – May 7 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Mar 19 – May 7 |
How to Plant Watermelon
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1.5"/week
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 4a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
70–100 days
Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.
👪 Plant Family
Cucurbitaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Cucurbitaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Watermelon
Watermelon matures in just 70–100 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 8 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Watermelon
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Watermelon
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.
💧 Watering: Watermelon needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week during active growth. Adjust based on your local rainfall — check your county page for a monthly watering guide specific to your area.
Saving Watermelon Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Watermelon by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Watermelon?
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) takes 70 to 100 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Watermelon grow in?
Watermelon can be grown in USDA zones 4a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Watermelon need?
Growing Watermelon requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.