FrostCal

When to Plant Watermelon in California

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Dec 19 – Dec 26, then transplant outdoors Jan 30 – Feb 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 12 in San Mateo and as late as Jun 10 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 70–90 days

Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.

Watermelon Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
Los AngelesFrost-free: year-round planting
San DiegoFrost-free: year-round planting
San JoseDec 5 – Dec 12Jan 16 – Jan 23
San FranciscoFrost-free: year-round planting
FresnoDec 17 – Dec 24Jan 28 – Feb 4
SacramentoDec 15 – Dec 22Jan 26 – Feb 2
Long BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
OaklandFrost-free: year-round planting
BakersfieldJan 3 – Jan 10Feb 14 – Feb 21
AnaheimFrost-free: year-round planting
RiversideDec 12 – Dec 19Jan 23 – Jan 30
Santa AnaFrost-free: year-round planting
StocktonJan 8 – Jan 15Feb 19 – Feb 26
Chula VistaFrost-free: year-round planting
IrvineFrost-free: year-round planting
FremontDec 10 – Dec 17Jan 21 – Jan 28
San BernardinoDec 30 – Jan 6Feb 10 – Feb 17
FontanaDec 13 – Dec 20Jan 24 – Jan 31
ModestoJan 3 – Jan 10Feb 14 – Feb 21
OxnardFrost-free: year-round planting
Moreno ValleyDec 30 – Jan 6Feb 10 – Feb 17
Huntington BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
GlendaleDec 5 – Dec 12Jan 16 – Jan 23
Santa ClaritaDec 11 – Dec 18Jan 22 – Jan 29
Santa RosaJan 28 – Feb 4Mar 11 – Mar 18
OceansideFrost-free: year-round planting
Garden GroveFrost-free: year-round planting
Rancho CucamongaDec 7 – Dec 14Jan 18 – Jan 25
OntarioDec 7 – Dec 14Jan 18 – Jan 25
Elk GroveJan 5 – Jan 12Feb 16 – Feb 23

Showing the 30 most populous of 530 California cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all California cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant watermelon in California?

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Dec 19 – Dec 26, then transplant outdoors Jan 30 – Feb 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 12 in San Mateo and as late as Jun 10 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

When is the last frost in California?

The average last spring frost in California ranges from January 1 in Palm Springs to December 31 in Sunland, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do watermelon take to grow?

Watermelon typically take 70–90 days from planting to harvest. Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.

Other Crops in California

When to plant watermelon in other states

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