FrostCal

When to Plant Watermelon in North Carolina

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Mar 3 – Mar 10, then transplant outdoors Apr 14 – Apr 21. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 1 in Morehead City and as late as May 16 in Boone.

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
CharlotteMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
RaleighFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
GreensboroMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
DurhamMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
Winston-SalemFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 9 – Apr 16
FayettevilleMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
CaryFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
WilmingtonFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 2 – Apr 9
High PointMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
AshevilleMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
GreenvilleFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
ConcordMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
GastoniaFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
JacksonvilleMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 14 – Apr 21
Chapel HillMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 14 – Apr 21
Rocky MountMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 14 – Apr 21
HuntersvilleMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
BurlingtonMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 12 – Apr 19
WilsonFeb 22 – Mar 1Apr 5 – Apr 12
KannapolisMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
ApexFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
HickoryMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 14 – Apr 21
Wake ForestMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
Indian TrailMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 14 – Apr 21
MooresvilleMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
GoldsboroFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
MonroeMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
SalisburyMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
Holly SpringsMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
MatthewsMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 14 – Apr 21

Showing the 30 most populous of 95 North Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all North Carolina cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant watermelon in North Carolina?

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Mar 3 – Mar 10, then transplant outdoors Apr 14 – Apr 21. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 1 in Morehead City and as late as May 16 in Boone.

When is the last frost in North Carolina?

The average last spring frost in North Carolina ranges from March 18 in Morehead City to May 2 in Boone, 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 North Carolina

When to plant watermelon in other states

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