Mississippi · zones 8a–9a
When to plant watermelon in Mississippi.
Sow between Apr 3 to May 20 in a typical year, keyed to Mississippi's median last frost around Mar 13. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Watermelon dates for a typical Mississippi season.
Direct sow
Apr 3 to May 20
Keyed to the ~Mar 13 last frost. Sow 1" deep, 36" apart.
Harvest
~85 days later
~20 lb per plant over ~3 weeks.
Mississippi spans more than one climate: Zone 8 is the most common zone, but the state runs 8a to 9a. 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.