When to Plant Watermelon in Massachusetts
In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Mar 28 – Apr 4, then transplant outdoors May 9 – May 16. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 18 in Boston and as late as May 24 in North Adams.
Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Watermelon Planting Dates by City
| City | Start indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Worcester | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 |
| Springfield | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 |
| Lowell | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 |
| Cambridge | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| New Bedford | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Dorchester | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 |
| Brockton | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 |
| Fall River | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Quincy | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 |
| Lynn | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 |
| Newton | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 |
| Somerville | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Lawrence | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Framingham | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 |
| Framingham Center | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 |
| Waltham | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 |
| Haverhill | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 |
| Malden | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Brookline | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 |
| Medford | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Taunton | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 |
| Chicopee | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 |
| North Chicopee | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 |
| Weymouth | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 |
| Revere | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Peabody | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 |
| Methuen | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 4 |
| South Peabody | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 |
| Barnstable | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 183 Massachusetts cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Massachusetts cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant watermelon in Massachusetts?
In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Mar 28 – Apr 4, then transplant outdoors May 9 – May 16. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 18 in Boston and as late as May 24 in North Adams.
When is the last frost in Massachusetts?
The average last spring frost in Massachusetts ranges from April 4 in Boston to May 10 in North Adams, 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 Massachusetts
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Swiss Chard
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant watermelon in other states