When to plant watermelons in Louisiana
Louisiana’s average last spring frost is March 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 255 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). Watermelon needs 70–100 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Louisiana's growing season.
When to plant watermelons in Louisiana: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 12 – Mar 29, with seeds started indoors Feb 5 – Feb 19. 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 Louisiana, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 5 – Feb 19). 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 (Mar 12 – Mar 29). 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 28 – Jun 27). 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 Louisiana’s average frost dates. More in the full watermelon growing guide.
Watermelon planting dates by USDA zone in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (this page) | March 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
| Florida | February 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 8 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
Questions gardeners in Louisiana ask
When is the best time to plant watermelons in Louisiana?
Plant watermelon transplants outdoors in Louisiana between March 12 and March 29. That timing is set by Louisiana's average last spring frost of March 5.
When should I start watermelon seeds indoors in Louisiana?
Start seeds indoors between February 5 and February 19, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 12.
What is the latest I can plant watermelons in Louisiana?
About September 6. Watermelons need at least 70 days to mature, and frost around November 15 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will watermelons planted in Louisiana be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, watermelons are usually ready from about May 28 to June 27, 70-100 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
On average around March 5, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 255 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.