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When to Plant Watermelon in Woodruff County, AR

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.

Woodruff County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 1,343 feet, Woodruff County receives approximately 49.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Watermelon during the growing season.

Woodruff County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Woodruff County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 19

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 206 gal / 100 sq ft
Watermelon needs ~1,424 GDD — county provides 3,869 GDD Excellent fit

Watermelon Planting Timeline โ€” Woodruff County, AR

Watermelon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Jul 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

70โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

231 days

Growing Tips for Woodruff 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Watermelon in Woodruff County, AR?

Woodruff County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Watermelon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Woodruff County, AR?

Woodruff County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Woodruff County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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