When to Plant Watermelon by State
A practical state-aware watermelon planting guide that accounts for wide zone ranges, frost dates, and soil warmth.
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watermelon state planting zones
When to Plant Watermelon by State
Watermelon planting dates are best handled by zone and frost date, not state name alone. Many states cover several USDA zones, and mountain, coastal, northern, and southern areas can differ by weeks. The right time is after frost danger has passed, when nights are mild and soil is at least 65 degrees F.
Use the ThriveThyme watermelon by zone guide for your baseline, then adjust for your local forecast. In cold parts of a state, start transplants (young starter plants) indoors 3 to 4 weeks early. In warm southern or coastal areas, planting seeds straight in the garden usually works once soil is warm.
State Timing Examples
- Alabama: Often late March to April in the south, April to early May in cooler northern areas.
- Arizona: Often February to March in the low desert, March to April in mid-elevations, May to June in high desert and mountains.
- Arkansas: Often late March to April, with cooler northern areas closer to mid to late April.
- California: February to March in the low desert, late March to April in the Central Valley, April to May on the coast, May to June in the mountains.
- Colorado: Late May to mid June at lower elevations; use transplants and short-season varieties at altitude.
- Florida: December to February in south Florida, February to April in central and north Florida.
- Georgia: Often late March to April in south and central Georgia, April to early May in north Georgia.
- Illinois: Early to mid May in southern Illinois, mid to late May in central, late May into early June in the north.
- Indiana: Early to mid May in southern Indiana, mid to late May in central, late May into early June in the north.
- Iowa: Mid May in the south, mid to late May in central Iowa, late May into early June in the north.
- Kansas: Early May in the southeast, mid May in central Kansas, mid to late May in the north and west.
- Louisiana: Often March to April, with earlier planting near the Gulf Coast than in northern parishes.
- Michigan: Late May in the south, late May to early June in central areas, early to mid June up north — use short-season varieties.
- Mississippi: Late March to early April on the coast, April in central areas, mid April to early May in the north.
- Missouri: Late April in the south, early to mid May in central, mid to late May in the north.
- North Carolina: Late March to April on the coast, April to early May in the Piedmont, mid May in the mountains.
- Ohio: Usually May, after frost risk drops and soil warms.
- Oklahoma: Often April, with earlier planting in the south and later planting in the Panhandle.
- Pennsylvania: Mid May in the southeast, mid to late May in the west, late May into early June in the mountains and northern tier.
- South Carolina: Often late March to April near the coast and midlands, April to early May in cooler upstate areas.
- Tennessee: Mid to late April in West Tennessee, late April to mid May in Middle Tennessee, mid to late May in East Tennessee.
- Texas: February to March in south Texas, March to April in central, April to May in north Texas and the Panhandle.
- Virginia: Mid to late April in Tidewater, late April to mid May in the Piedmont, mid to late May in the mountains.
Next Steps
Find your local last frost date, check soil warmth, and choose a variety that fits your season. If you have fewer than 90 warm days, use transplants or a compact short-season watermelon.