Planting guide · zone 5b
When to plant watermelon in zone 5b
In zone 5b, the average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is Oct 8. Here is watermelon's whole year, counted from those dates.
May 22Direct 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.