How to grow watermelons in a raised bed
Choose a small "icebox" kind for raised beds. Needs a long, hot summer.
Spacing1 plant per 2 × 2 ft
How to startSow seeds right in the bed
When to plantAbout 2 weeks after your last spring frost
Time to harvestAbout 85 days
Grows toAbout 14 in tall
When to plant watermelons in your zone
Dates are based on the average frost dates for each zone. Don't know your zone? Enter your ZIP code in the planner.
| Zone | Start seeds indoors | Plant in the bed | Plant again for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | Jun 3 | — |
| Zone 3b | — | May 29 | — |
| Zone 4a | — | May 26 | — |
| Zone 4b | — | May 22 | — |
| Zone 5a | — | May 18 | — |
| Zone 5b | — | May 12 | — |
| Zone 6a | — | May 6 | — |
| Zone 6b | — | Apr 29 | — |
| Zone 7a | — | Apr 22 | — |
| Zone 7b | — | Apr 15 | — |
| Zone 8a | — | Apr 8 | — |
| Zone 8b | — | Mar 29 | — |
| Zone 9a | — | Mar 15 | — |
| Zone 9b | — | Mar 1 | — |
| Zone 10a | — | Feb 14 | — |
| Zone 10b | — | Jan 29 | — |
Tips for raised beds
- Give each plant a 2 × 2 ft space in the bed.
- It stays fairly short, so it can go near the south (sunny) edge of the bed.
- Most vegetables and fruit need at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
Where to buy watermelon seeds
Burpee · True Leaf Market · Botanical Interests
Plan where your watermelons go. Pick your bed size and material, choose your plants, and get a printable plan with measurements, a shopping list and planting dates for your ZIP code. Free, no sign-up.
Open the free planner →