When to plant watermelon in North Dakota

Watermelon
Plant out in Fargo
May 18–Jun 1

Across North Dakota the window opens between May 18 and June 4. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Fargo
Apr 6–Apr 13
Plant out, Fargo
May 18–Jun 1
Sow outdoors, Fargo
May 18–Jun 1
Last sowing for a harvest
Jun 10
Last frost, Fargo
May 4

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
FargoMay 18–Jun 1
BismarckMay 24–Jun 7
Grand ForksMay 24–Jun 7
MinotMay 24–Jun 7
West FargoMay 18–Jun 1
WillistonJun 4–Jun 18
DickinsonJun 3–Jun 17
MandanMay 27–Jun 10

Questions

When should I plant watermelon in North Dakota?

In Fargo, plant out from May 18 to June 1. Across North Dakota the window opens between May 18 and June 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 North Dakota

Watermelon in other states

Frost dates for every city in North Dakota