Planting guide · zone 5a
When to plant watermelon in zone 5a
In zone 5a, the average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is Oct 1. Here is watermelon's whole year, counted from those dates.
May 29Direct sowSpring
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Soil & site
Sandy, warm, rich hills with room to sprawl.
Seedling care
Direct sow in warm soil; melons hate root disturbance.
Growing notes
It needs the full hot Southern summer — a perfect Tennessee crop. Slide straw under developing fruit to prevent rot.
Harvest
Three signs together: the tendril nearest the fruit browns, the ground spot turns buttery yellow, and the thump goes hollow.