FrostCal

When to Plant Watermelon in Virginia

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Mar 14 – Mar 21, then transplant outdoors Apr 25 – May 2. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 30 in Newport News and as late as May 10 in Radford.

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
Virginia BeachMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 12 – Apr 19
NorfolkFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 6 – Apr 13
ChesapeakeFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 6 – Apr 13
RichmondMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
ArlingtonMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
Newport NewsFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
AlexandriaMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
East HamptonFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
HamptonFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
RoanokeMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
Portsmouth HeightsFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 6 – Apr 13
PortsmouthFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 6 – Apr 13
SuffolkFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
South SuffolkFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
LynchburgMar 20 – Mar 27May 1 – May 8
CentrevilleMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
Dale CityFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
West LynchburgMar 20 – Mar 27May 1 – May 8
RestonMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 28 – May 5
HarrisonburgMar 24 – Mar 31May 5 – May 12
LeesburgMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 30 – May 7
McLeanMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
CharlottesvilleMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 19 – Apr 26
TuckahoeMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
BlacksburgMar 27 – Apr 3May 8 – May 15
AshburnMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
DanvilleMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 22 – Apr 29
ManassasMar 15 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
Lake RidgeMar 15 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
BurkeMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 28 – May 5

Showing the 30 most populous of 118 Virginia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Virginia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant watermelon in Virginia?

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Mar 14 – Mar 21, then transplant outdoors Apr 25 – May 2. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 30 in Newport News and as late as May 10 in Radford.

When is the last frost in Virginia?

The average last spring frost in Virginia ranges from March 16 in Newport News to April 26 in Radford, 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 Virginia

When to plant watermelon in other states

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