when should i plant watermelon seeds

Plant watermelon seeds after the last frost , when the soil is warm—about 70 F (21 C) or higher. In many gardens, that’s 2 to 4 weeks after the last spring frost.

Best timing

• Direct sow outdoors: once frost danger is gone and the soil stays warm.

• Start indoors: about 4 to 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant after the weather warms.

• Warm regions: you can plant earlier, but watermelons still need hot conditions and don’t germinate well in cold soil.

Simple rule

If nights are still chilly or the soil feels cold, wait. Watermelon is a warm- season crop, and planting too early usually slows germination and growth.

Example

If your last frost is in mid-April, you’d usually:

1. Start seeds indoors in late February to early March.
2. Or sow outdoors in late April to early May, once soil warms up.

Helpful note

Watermelon seeds generally sprout best when soil temperatures are around 70–85 F (21–29 C).