When to plant watermelons in Florida
Florida’s average last spring frost is February 12, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 10 — about 301 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a). Watermelon needs 70–100 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Florida's growing season.
Florida covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant watermelons in Florida: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Feb 19 – Mar 8, with seeds started indoors Jan 15 – Jan 29. Wait until the soil is at least 70°F and frost is over.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow watermelons in Florida, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Jan 15 – Jan 29). Sow seeds 1 inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 4-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 24 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Feb 19 – Mar 8). Space plants about 36 inches apart in rows 72 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: striped cucumber beetle, aphids, squash vine borer. Diseases and disorders: anthracnose, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, gummy stem blight.
- Harvest (from about May 7 – Jun 6). Watermelon takes 70-100 days to reach harvest. Longest-season cucurbit here - icebox varieties (70-75 days) are the realistic choice north of the mid-Atlantic. Ripe when the curly tendril nearest the fruit is brown and dry and the ground spot is buttery yellow.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Florida’s average frost dates. More in the full watermelon growing guide.
Watermelon planting dates by USDA zone in Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the watermelon dates shift with them.
When to plant watermelons in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (this page) | February 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 8 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
Questions gardeners in Florida ask
When is the best time to plant watermelons in Florida?
Plant watermelon transplants outdoors in Florida between February 19 and March 8. That timing is set by Florida's average last spring frost of February 12; Florida spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start watermelon seeds indoors in Florida?
Start seeds indoors between January 15 and January 29, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from February 19.
What is the latest I can plant watermelons in Florida?
About October 1. Watermelons need at least 70 days to mature, and frost around December 10 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will watermelons planted in Florida be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, watermelons are usually ready from about May 7 to June 6, 70-100 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Florida?
On average around February 12, with the first fall frost around December 10 - about 301 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.