Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Watermelon in Louisiana

The ultimate summer treat. Watermelons need heat, space, and patience — but the payoff is pure joy.

The Short Answer

In Louisiana, watermelon planting dates vary by region. In Northern Louisiana, your average last frost is around Mar 1 - Mar 15, while Southern Louisiana sees its last frost around Feb 1 - Feb 20. Since watermelon are frost-sensitive, start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost, then transplant outside 2 weeks after frost danger has passed. Rich alluvial soils in river valleys. Heavy clay in many areas. Acidic throughout. Sandy in some coastal areas.

Louisiana Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Louisiana you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Louisiana	8a, 8b	Mar 1 - Mar 15	Nov 10 - Nov 25
Southern Louisiana	9a, 9b	Feb 1 - Feb 20	Dec 1 - Dec 20

Watermelon Planting Schedule for Louisiana

Northern Louisiana (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 1 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Start Seeds Indoors

3 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks after frost

Direct Sow

3 wks after frost

Southern Louisiana (Zones 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Feb 1 - Feb 20 · Average first frost: Dec 1 - Dec 20

Start Seeds Indoors

3 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks after frost

Direct Sow

3 wks after frost

Growing Watermelon in Louisiana

Watermelon in Louisiana's Climate

Watermelon is a natural fit for your warm climate. The long, hot season produces the sweetest, largest melons. Start transplants early for a long harvest. Texas, Georgia, and the Carolinas are premier watermelon territory. Deep watering during fruit development and reducing water near harvest concentrates sweetness.

Soil Considerations for Louisiana

Rich alluvial soils in river valleys. Heavy clay in many areas. Acidic throughout. Sandy in some coastal areas. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 70°F before planting watermelon outside.

Louisiana Climate & Growing Season

Subtropical. Long growing season. Very hot and humid summers — some crops need shade. Year-round gardening possible. Watermelon cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across Louisiana: Northern Louisiana (8a, 8b) has a last frost around Mar 1 - Mar 15, while Southern Louisiana (9a, 9b) sees frost end around Feb 1 - Feb 20. This difference matters for watermelon — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Black plastic mulch warms soil faster. Check ripeness by looking for a yellow ground spot and listening for a hollow thump.

Companion Planting

Plant watermelon alongside these companions for better growth:

Corn Sunflowers Marigolds

Keep watermelon away from:

Potatoes

The Bottom Line

Watermelon can be grown successfully across Louisiana, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Louisiana gardeners should plan around a Mar 1 - Mar 15 last frost, while those in Southern Louisiana can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026