FrostCal

When to Plant Watermelon in New Jersey

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Mar 18 – Mar 25, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 9 in Atlantic City and as late as May 14 in Manville.

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
NewarkMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
Jersey CityMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
PatersonMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
ElizabethMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
EdisonMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
TrentonMar 20 – Mar 27May 1 – May 8
Toms RiverMar 26 – Apr 2May 7 – May 14
CliftonMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
CamdenMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
BrickMar 26 – Apr 2May 7 – May 14
PassaicMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
Cherry HillMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
Union CityMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
BayonneMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
MiddletownMar 20 – Mar 27May 1 – May 8
East OrangeMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
North BergenMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
IrvingtonMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
VinelandMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
South VinelandMar 27 – Apr 3May 8 – May 15
WayneMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 28 – May 5
New BrunswickMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
UnionMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
PiscatawayMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
JacksonMar 31 – Apr 7May 12 – May 19
LakewoodMar 26 – Apr 2May 7 – May 14
HobokenMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
West New YorkMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
Perth AmboyMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
PlainfieldMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2

Showing the 30 most populous of 223 New Jersey cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New Jersey cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant watermelon in New Jersey?

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Mar 18 – Mar 25, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 9 in Atlantic City and as late as May 14 in Manville.

When is the last frost in New Jersey?

The average last spring frost in New Jersey ranges from March 26 in Atlantic City to April 30 in Manville, 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 New Jersey

When to plant watermelon in other states

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