Considerations

• Watermelons are warm-season vegetables; they thrive in climates with daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees and nighttime temperatures between 65 and 70. They are highly sensitive to frost, which makes planting times important, especially in colder areas.
  
  

Time Frame

• Though timing varies depending on where you live, the one constant is that conditions in your garden are more important than dates on the calendar. Never plant watermelon outdoors until you are sure that all danger of frost has passed. This can be as early as January in Florida or as late as June in New England.
  
  

Types

• Most watermelons take 85 to 90 days to ripen. In areas with short growing seasons, you can start watermelon plants indoors a few weeks before moving them to the garden, but they often do not thrive after being transplanted. You may also choose quick-ripening varieties. 'Golden Crown,' 'Sugar Baby,' 'Yellow Baby' and 'Yellow Doll' all take 70 to 75 days until ripe.