Louisiana · zones 8b–9b
When to plant watermelon in Louisiana.
Sow between Mar 21 to May 7 in a typical year, keyed to Louisiana's median last frost around Feb 28. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Watermelon dates for a typical Louisiana season.
Direct sow
Mar 21 to May 7
Keyed to the ~Feb 28 last frost. Sow 1" deep, 36" apart.
Harvest
~85 days later
~20 lb per plant over ~3 weeks.
Louisiana spans more than one climate: Zone 9 is the most common zone, but the state runs 8b to 9b. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.