FrostCal

When to Plant Watermelon in Kentucky

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Mar 15 – Mar 22, then transplant outdoors Apr 26 – May 3. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 14 in Louisville and as late as May 15 in Shelbyville.

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
LouisvilleMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 14 – Apr 21
LexingtonMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
Lexington-FayetteMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
MeadsMar 25 – Apr 1May 6 – May 13
Bowling GreenMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 19 – Apr 26
OwensboroMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
CovingtonMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 30 – May 7
RichmondMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
GeorgetownMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
FlorenceMar 21 – Mar 28May 2 – May 9
HopkinsvilleMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
NicholasvilleMar 10 – Mar 17Apr 21 – Apr 28
ElizabethtownMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 30 – May 7
HendersonMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
FrankfortMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
JeffersontownMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
IndependenceMar 21 – Mar 28May 2 – May 9
PaducahMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
Valley StationMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 14 – Apr 21
RadcliffMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 30 – May 7
AshlandMar 25 – Apr 1May 6 – May 13
NewburgMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
MadisonvilleMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
MurrayMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 19 – Apr 26
ErlangerMar 21 – Mar 28May 2 – May 9
WinchesterMar 23 – Mar 30May 4 – May 11
Fern CreekMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
Saint MatthewsMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
OkolonaMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
DanvilleMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30

Showing the 30 most populous of 52 Kentucky cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kentucky cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant watermelon in Kentucky?

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Mar 15 – Mar 22, then transplant outdoors Apr 26 – May 3. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 14 in Louisville and as late as May 15 in Shelbyville.

When is the last frost in Kentucky?

The average last spring frost in Kentucky ranges from March 31 in Louisville to May 1 in Shelbyville, 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 Kentucky

When to plant watermelon in other states

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