When to plant watermelon in Florida

Watermelon
Plant out in Jacksonville
Feb 15–Mar 1

Across Florida the window opens between February 15 and April 4. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Jacksonville
Jan 4–Jan 11
Plant out, Jacksonville
Feb 15–Mar 1
Sow outdoors, Jacksonville
Feb 15–Mar 1
Last sowing for a harvest
Sep 13
Last frost, Jacksonville
Feb 1

Start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 2–4 weeks after the last frost. In short-season areas, start seedlings indoors and pick an early variety.

Watermelon planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
JacksonvilleFeb 15–Mar 1
TampaFeb 15–Mar 1
OrlandoFeb 15–Mar 1
St. PetersburgFeb 15–Mar 1
Cape CoralFeb 15–Mar 1
TallahasseeMar 25–Apr 8
GainesvilleMar 17–Mar 31
Palm BayFeb 15–Mar 1
Lehigh AcresFeb 15–Mar 1
LakelandFeb 15–Mar 1
Spring HillFeb 19–Mar 5
BrandonFeb 15–Mar 1
ClearwaterFeb 15–Mar 1
Palm CoastFeb 15–Mar 1
RiverviewFeb 15–Mar 1
Fort MyersFeb 15–Mar 1
DeltonaFeb 15–Mar 1
North PortFeb 15–Mar 1
AlafayaFeb 15–Mar 1
Daytona BeachFeb 15–Mar 1
MelbourneFeb 15–Mar 1
Town 'n' CountryFeb 15–Mar 1
KissimmeeFeb 15–Mar 1
Boynton BeachFeb 15–Mar 1
Pine HillsFeb 15–Mar 1
The VillagesFeb 15–Mar 1
LargoFeb 15–Mar 1
St. CloudFeb 15–Mar 1
Wesley ChapelFeb 15–Mar 1
OcalaMar 11–Mar 25
All 148 cities
CityStart indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsLast frost
JacksonvilleJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
TampaJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
OrlandoJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 25
St. PetersburgJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
Cape CoralJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 16
TallahasseeFeb 11 to Feb 18Mar 25 to Apr 8Mar 25 to Apr 8Mar 11
GainesvilleFeb 3 to Feb 10Mar 17 to Mar 31Mar 17 to Mar 31Mar 3
Palm BayJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
Lehigh AcresJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
LakelandJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
Spring HillJan 8 to Jan 15Feb 19 to Mar 5Feb 19 to Mar 5Feb 5
BrandonJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
ClearwaterJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
Palm CoastJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
RiverviewJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Fort MyersJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 16
DeltonaJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
North PortJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
AlafayaJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
Daytona BeachJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
MelbourneJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
Town 'n' CountryJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
KissimmeeJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Boynton BeachJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 22
Pine HillsJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
The VillagesJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
LargoJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
St. CloudJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Wesley ChapelJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 31
OcalaJan 28 to Feb 4Mar 11 to Mar 25Mar 11 to Mar 25Feb 25
PoincianaJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Delray BeachJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 22
SanfordJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
Port OrangeJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
ApopkaJan 27 to Feb 3Mar 10 to Mar 24Mar 10 to Mar 24Feb 24
Port CharlotteJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 21
Palm Beach GardensJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 21
JupiterJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
Winter HavenJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 15
Horizon WestJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Palm HarborJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Four CornersJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 29
SarasotaJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 15
BradentonJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 16
Bonita SpringsJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
PensacolaJan 17 to Jan 24Feb 28 to Mar 14Feb 28 to Mar 14Feb 14
ClermontJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 29
Pinellas ParkJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
OcoeeJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Fort PierceJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 22
TitusvilleJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 25
UniversityJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Winter GardenJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Altamonte SpringsJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
DeLandJan 20 to Jan 27Mar 3 to Mar 17Mar 3 to Mar 17Feb 17
Haines CityJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 15
Cutler BayJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
Ormond BeachJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
North Fort MyersJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 16
Plant CityJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
Land O' LakesJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 31
PrincetonJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
OviedoJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
Meadow WoodsJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 25
The AcreageJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 21
Winter SpringsJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
Lakewood RanchJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 16
Riviera BeachJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 21
LeesburgJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
ValricoJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
EsteroJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
Panama CityJan 18 to Jan 25Mar 1 to Mar 15Mar 1 to Mar 15Feb 15
South Miami HeightsJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
Richmond WestJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
Egypt Lake-LetoJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
CarrollwoodJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Fruit CoveJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
DunedinJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Merritt IslandJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
New Smyrna BeachJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
East LakeJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Buenaventura LakesJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
CasselberryJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
Lake MagdaleneJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
LakesideJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
RockledgeJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
West MelbourneJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
CrestviewFeb 21 to Feb 28Apr 4 to Apr 18Apr 4 to Apr 18Mar 21
Oakleaf PlantationJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
VeniceJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 25
Ferry PassJan 20 to Jan 27Mar 3 to Mar 17Mar 3 to Mar 17Feb 17
Winter ParkJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
RuskinJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Vero Beach SouthJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
Fleming IslandJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
East Lake-Orient ParkJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Golden GateJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
Apollo BeachJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Citrus ParkJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Silver Springs ShoresJan 28 to Feb 4Mar 11 to Mar 25Mar 11 to Mar 25Feb 25
SebastianJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
WrightJan 8 to Jan 15Feb 19 to Mar 5Feb 19 to Mar 5Feb 5
Temple TerraceJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Leisure CityJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
LutzJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
KeystoneJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Palm River-Clair MelJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Fish HawkJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
Palm CityJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 23
PaceJan 20 to Jan 27Mar 3 to Mar 17Mar 3 to Mar 17Feb 17
ImmokaleeJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 23
Tarpon SpringsJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
South BradentonJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 15
NocateeJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 31
GrovelandJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
EustisJan 5 to Jan 12Feb 16 to Mar 2Feb 16 to Mar 2Feb 2
NorthdaleJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
BellviewJan 17 to Jan 24Feb 28 to Mar 14Feb 28 to Mar 14Feb 14
WestchaseJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
EdgewaterJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Port St. JohnJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 25
World Golf VillageJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 1
Oak RidgeJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 25
Liberty TriangleJan 28 to Feb 4Mar 11 to Mar 25Mar 11 to Mar 25Feb 25
Wekiwa SpringsJan 27 to Feb 3Mar 10 to Mar 24Mar 10 to Mar 24Feb 24
BloomingdaleJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 30
Bayonet PointJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
BartowJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 24
Jacksonville BeachJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 31
DeBaryJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
BrentJan 17 to Jan 24Feb 28 to Mar 14Feb 28 to Mar 14Feb 14
Jasmine EstatesJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
EnsleyJan 20 to Jan 27Mar 3 to Mar 17Mar 3 to Mar 17Feb 17
TavaresJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 26
Lynn HavenJan 18 to Jan 25Mar 1 to Mar 15Mar 1 to Mar 15Feb 15
ZephyrhillsJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 31
Marion OaksJan 28 to Feb 4Mar 11 to Mar 25Mar 11 to Mar 25Feb 25
HolidayJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 20
Florida RidgeJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 18
AuburndaleJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 15
Hunters CreekJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 28
Fort Walton BeachJan 8 to Jan 15Feb 19 to Mar 5Feb 19 to Mar 5Feb 5
MinneolaJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 29
LealmanJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 17
MidwayFeb 1 to Feb 8Mar 15 to Mar 29Mar 15 to Mar 29Mar 1
West PensacolaJan 17 to Jan 24Feb 28 to Mar 14Feb 28 to Mar 14Feb 14
Punta GordaJan 4 to Jan 11Feb 15 to Mar 1Feb 15 to Mar 1Jan 21
Panama City BeachJan 28 to Feb 4Mar 11 to Mar 25Mar 11 to Mar 25Feb 25

Questions

When should I plant watermelon in Florida?

In Jacksonville, plant out from February 15 to March 1. Across Florida the window opens between February 15 and April 4, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 2–4 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Florida

Watermelon in other states

Frost dates for every city in Florida