Watermelon in Zone 11a & 11b
Citrullus lanatus
Yes, watermelon grows in zones 11a and 11b. Plant it outside in Dec–Mar. For a fall crop, plant out in Dec–Mar.
When to plant watermelon in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Window | Fall window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Dec–Mar |
| Estimated harvest | ~85 days after direct-sowing |
Spacing: about 10 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 6-10 in.
Zone 11b dates sourced from edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Fall window: the last sowing date is the average first frost minus days to maturity, the method in Purdue Extension's fall garden guide, which lists watermelon for late-summer planting.
Plant alongside it in zone 11b
These go outside within two weeks of watermelon in zone 11b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Broccoli Rabe (Raab)Dec 11–Dec 18
- MizunaDec 11–Dec 18
- TatsoiDec 11–Dec 18
- CantaloupeDec–Mar
- Sweet PotatoDec–Sep
- Mâche (Corn Salad)Dec 4–Dec 11
Watermelon asks for more room and more patience than almost anything else in a vegetable garden, at just 0.1 plants per square foot, a single vine can sprawl across a large share of a bed, and it takes most of a summer to deliver fruit.
How watermelon fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Watermelon planting windows in every zone
Zone 11b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | May 24–May 31 | Aug 17–Aug 24 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | May 9–May 16 | Aug 2–Aug 9 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 24–May 1 | Jul 18–Jul 25 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jul 2–Jul 9 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Mar 1–Mar 8 | May 25–Jun 1 |
| 10a & 10bSpring window | Not usually | Feb–Jun | ~85 days after direct-sowing |
| 11a & 11bFall window (your zone) | Not usually | Dec–Mar | ~85 days after direct-sowing |
Harvest dates are about 85 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
- Sweet Corn: Corn provides light afternoon shade without heavy competition for space. (usually zones 3-10, so not a pairing for zone 11b)
Where to buy watermelon seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's watermelon seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Crimson Sweet: Listed among Clemson Cooperative Extension's recommended standard seeded watermelon varieties for home gardens, a widely available, dependable classic large-fruited type. Buy: Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds Full notes
- Sangria: Also on Clemson's standard-seeded list, a large-fruited type alongside Crimson Sweet. Buy: True Leaf Market Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing watermelon" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Watermelon in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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