Planting guide · zone 8a
When to plant watermelon in zone 8a
In zone 8a, the average last spring frost is Mar 25 and the first fall frost is Nov 12. Here is watermelon's whole year, counted from those dates.
Apr 8Direct 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.