When Is The Best Time To Plant Watermelon In Florida

If you’re planning to grow watermelon in Florida, timing is everything. Knowing when is the best time to plant watermelon in Florida is the first step to a succesful harvest.

Our warm climate is a big advantage, but our unique seasons require a smart schedule. Planting at the right moment helps your plants avoid pests and diseases while soaking up the perfect growing weather. This guide will walk you through the optimal windows for each region.

For most of Florida, you have two main planting seasons. The primary one is in late winter to early spring. The second, for some areas, is in late summer.

Here’s a simple breakdown by region:

North Florida: Plant from March to April. Wait until the danger of frost has completely passed.
Central Florida: You can start a bit earlier, from February to March. A late-summer planting in August is also possible.
South Florida: Your longest season! Plant from December to March. You can also plant again in August for a fall harvest.

Always use a soil thermometer. Watermelon seeds germinate best when soil temperatures are consistently above 70°F. Planting in cold, damp soil will lead to poor germination and seedling rot.

Why Florida’s Seasons Dictate Your Planting Date

Watermelons love heat and need a long, warm growing season—typically 80-100 days from planting to harvest. They are very sensitive to frost. Florida’s heat is great, but timing is key to avoid problems.

Spring planting lets fruits mature before the peak humidity and heavy rains of summer, which can encourage fungal diseases. A fall planting uses the warm soil to get started and matures as the weather becomes drier and slightly cooler, which can improve flavor.

Key Factors for Your Planting Decision

Your calender date is a starting point. Check these factors before you put seeds in the ground:

Soil Warmth: This is more important than air temperature. Aim for 70°F at a 4-inch depth.
Frost Forecast: Ensure no frost is predicted for your area. Young vines are very tender.
Rain Patterns: Try to plant so that fruit sets before the daily afternoon thunderstorms begin.

Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Your Watermelons

Once your timing is set, follow these steps for a strong start.

1. Choose the Right Variety

Pick varieties known to perform well in Florida’s humidity. Some excellent choices include ‘Sugar Baby’ (small, icebox type), ‘Crimson Sweet’ (disease resistant), and ‘Charleston Gray’ (good for sandy soil). Your local garden center will have the best options.

2. Prepare Your Garden Site

Watermelons need full sun—at least 8 hours of direct light. They prefer sandy, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.

Clear the area of weeds and grass.
Incorporate 3-4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure into the soil.
Form raised mounds or hills. This improves drainage and warms the soil faster. Space mounds 6 feet apart.

3. Planting Seeds or Transplants

You can sow seeds directly or start with transplants. Direct sowing is often easier because watermelons have sensitive roots.

For Seeds: Plant 4-6 seeds per mound, about 1 inch deep. After they sprout, thin to the 2 strongest seedlings.
For Transplants: Start seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before your planting date. Handle the roots gently when transplanting to avoid shock.

Water the area thoroughly after planting. Use a light mulch like pine straw to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it away from the stem.

Caring for Your Watermelon Plants

Consistent care is what turns flowers into juicy fruit.

Watering and Feeding Schedule

Watermelons need deep, consistent watering, especially during fruit set and growth. Aim for 1-2 inches of water per week. Water at the base of the plant to keep leaves dry and prevent disease. Reduce watering as the fruits ripen for better sweetness.

Feed your plants with a balanced fertilizer when vines begin to run. Then, switch to a low-nitrogen, higher-potassium fertilizer when flowers appear. To much nitrogen will give you lots of leaves but few fruits.

Pest and Disease Management

Common Florida pests include aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash vine borers. Diseases to watch for are powdery mildew and anthracnose, favored by humidity.

Use row covers early in the season to protect young plants from insects.
Practice crop rotation—don’t plant watermelons in the same spot year after year.
Choose disease-resistant varieties whenever possible.
If you must use a fungicide, select one labeled for edible crops and follow instructions carefully.

How to Tell When Your Watermelons Are Ready

Harvest time is the best reward. Look for these signs of ripeness:

The curly tendril closest to the fruit stem turns brown and dries up.
The spot where the fruit rests on the ground changes from white to a creamy yellow.
The rind loses its glossy shine and becomes dull.
You hear a deep, hollow sound when you thump it (this takes practice).

Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut the fruit from the vine, leaving a small stem attached. They don’t continue to ripen much after picking, so timing is crucial.

FAQ: Your Florida Watermelon Questions Answered

Can I grow watermelon in containers in Florida?
Yes, choose a compact “icebox” variety and use a very large container (at least 20 gallons). Ensure it has excellent drainage and provide a trellis for support.

What is the latest I can plant watermelons in Central Florida?
For a fall harvest, aim to get seeds in the ground by mid-August. This gives enough time for fruit to mature before cooler nights arrive in late October or November.

Why are my watermelon vines flowering but not producing fruit?
This is often a pollination issue. Watermelons have separate male and female flowers. Bees are essential. Avoid using pesticides that harm bees, and consider hand-pollinating flowers with a small brush if bee activity is low.

My watermelon split open on the vine. What happened?
This is usually caused by irregular watering—a dry period followed by heavy rain or irrigation. Try to maintain even soil moisture throughout the growing season to prevent this.

Getting your planting timing right sets the stage for the whole season. By following this regional schedule and focusing on soil warmth, you give your watermelons the strong start they need. With proper site preparation, consistent care, and a watchful eye for ripeness signs, you’ll be enjoying sweet, homegrown watermelon in no time.