FrostCal

When to Plant Watermelon in Louisiana

In a typical Louisiana location, start seeds indoors Jan 21 – Jan 28, then transplant outdoors Mar 4 – Mar 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 7 in Metairie and as late as Mar 31 in Minden.

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
New OrleansJan 4 – Jan 11Feb 15 – Feb 22
Baton RougeJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 14 – Mar 21
ShreveportJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 14 – Mar 21
MetairieDec 27 – Jan 3Feb 7 – Feb 14
LafayetteJan 16 – Jan 23Feb 27 – Mar 6
Lake CharlesJan 17 – Jan 24Feb 28 – Mar 7
Bossier CityJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 14 – Mar 21
KennerJan 2 – Jan 9Feb 13 – Feb 20
MonroeFeb 8 – Feb 15Mar 22 – Mar 29
AlexandriaJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 13 – Mar 20
HoumaJan 8 – Jan 15Feb 19 – Feb 26
MarreroDec 27 – Jan 3Feb 7 – Feb 14
New IberiaJan 13 – Jan 20Feb 24 – Mar 3
LaplaceJan 12 – Jan 19Feb 23 – Mar 2
CentralJan 28 – Feb 4Mar 11 – Mar 18
SlidellJan 27 – Feb 3Mar 10 – Mar 17
PrairievilleJan 12 – Jan 19Feb 23 – Mar 2
TerrytownJan 4 – Jan 11Feb 15 – Feb 22
RustonFeb 11 – Feb 18Mar 25 – Apr 1
HammondFeb 8 – Feb 15Mar 22 – Mar 29
HarveyJan 4 – Jan 11Feb 15 – Feb 22
SulphurFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 16 – Mar 23
Bayou CaneJan 8 – Jan 15Feb 19 – Feb 26
ShenandoahJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 14 – Mar 21
NatchitochesJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 14 – Mar 21
GretnaJan 4 – Jan 11Feb 15 – Feb 22
ChalmetteJan 13 – Jan 20Feb 24 – Mar 3
OpelousasJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 14 – Mar 21
ZacharyJan 28 – Feb 4Mar 11 – Mar 18
EstelleJan 13 – Jan 20Feb 24 – Mar 3

Showing the 30 most populous of 66 Louisiana cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Louisiana cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant watermelon in Louisiana?

In a typical Louisiana location, start seeds indoors Jan 21 – Jan 28, then transplant outdoors Mar 4 – Mar 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 7 in Metairie and as late as Mar 31 in Minden.

When is the last frost in Louisiana?

The average last spring frost in Louisiana ranges from January 24 in Metairie to March 17 in Minden, 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 Louisiana

When to plant watermelon in other states

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