Watermelon Planting Dates Arkansas

Best Planting Times for Watermelons in Arkansas

Planting Method	Activity	Recommended Dates
Outdoor Planting	Indoor Seed Starting	April 15 – May 15
	Transplant Outdoors	June 1 – June 15
Greenhouse Planting	Year-round	Adjust planting based on temperature control in the greenhouse

Planting Conditions

Arkansas boasts a warm, humid climate conducive to growing watermelons, with USDA Hardiness Zones primarily ranging from 6a to 8a, making it ideal for this crop.

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Useful Tools for Starting Watermelons Indoors

Using the right tools can save you time and increase your success rate.

Seeds

Quality seeds lead to better germination and healthier plants. Starting with high-quality seeds gives your watermelons the best chance to thrive from the beginning.

Browse Watermelon Seeds on Amazon

Planting Trays

Planting trays help you organize your seedlings and ensure they have enough space to grow before transplanting them outdoors. This makes the process more efficient and increases the chances of strong, healthy plants.

Find Planting Trays on Amazon

Grow Lights

Grow lights are essential if you don’t have enough natural sunlight. They provide your seedlings with the light they need to grow strong and healthy, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

Check out Grow Lights on Amazon

Seed Starting Soil

Using light, fine soil specifically designed for seed starting helps young roots establish quickly and promotes healthy growth. It’s an easy way to give your seedlings the best start possible.

Get Seed Starting Soil on Amazon

Greenhouse Growing

In Arkansas, where heat can be intense during summer months, using a greenhouse can protect watermelon plants from excessive heat, provide a stable growth environment, and extend the growing season. Additionally, it allows for better control over pests and diseases while optimizing watering practices.

Consider investing in a 10×12 FT Greenhouse priced at $1,199 to ensure your watermelons thrive in a controlled environment.


Check the latest price on Amazon.

Fertilizer

For optimal watermelon growth in Arkansas, supplementing with fertilizer can ensure abundant and healthy harvests. Quality fertilizer helps replenish nutrients in the soil and promotes vigorous plant growth.

Check out Fertilizer on Amazon

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Plant watermelons outdoors in Arkansas approximately 1-2 weeks after the last spring frost date, ensuring the soil is warm enough for optimal growth.

Average Last Frost Dates for Arkansas’s Major Cities

City	Average Last Frost Date
Little Rock	April 15
Fort Smith	April 10
North Little Rock	April 15
Jonesboro	April 20
Pine Bluff	April 25
Bentonville	April 15
Conway	April 15
Hot Springs	April 20

Disclaimer: Frost dates are average estimates, and actual conditions may vary. It is recommended to monitor local forecasts and adapt planting decisions accordingly.

Other planting guides for Arkansas:

Kale Planting in Arkansas

Broccoli Planting in Alabama

Pumpkin Planting in Arkansas

Any questions on Growing melons? Visit our forum to discuss: Growing melons

Starting Watermelons Indoors

In Arkansas, begin indoor watermelon seed starting between March 15 and April 15. This timeline ensures healthy seedlings ready for outdoor transplantation starting from mid-April to early May, once the risk of frost has passed.

Transplanting Watermelon Seedlings

Transplant watermelon seedlings outdoors from April 20 to May 5, ensuring the soil has warmed above 70°F consistently. Space the seedlings 36-42 inches apart in rows with at least 6-8 feet between rows for optimal growth.

General Care and Maintenance

Watering

• Provide consistent and deep watering to maintain evenly moist soil. Arkansas’s warm climate requires regular watering to prevent soil dryness.
• Water at the base of plants to avoid leaf wetness, which can reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

Fertilizing

• Apply a balanced fertilizer during planting and when the first fruits start forming. Incorporating compost before planting can enhance soil fertility and structure.

Pest and Disease Management

• Regularly monitor for common pests like aphids, cucumber beetles, and powdery mildew. Pest vigilance is vital in Arkansas’s humid climate.
• Implement organic or integrated pest management methods to protect watermelon plants from pests and diseases.

Harvesting

• Harvest watermelons when they have reached the desired size and sound hollow when tapped. Regularly check for ripeness to enjoy the best flavor and quality.

The importance of good soil

Before starting to grow it is important to take a step back and find the condition of the soil in your garden,The optimal soil is a blend that includes the mineral-rich dirt along with organicrich organic matter that plants need to thrive.

In my garden I try to compost as mutch as possible, so I can mix in the nutrient ritch compost in my soil. I use both hot composting of food scraps and cold composting of all organic garden “waste”..
If you dont have the time or space for composting, it is possible to get compost ready to use in garden centers and Community Composting.
You can read more on Community Composting here: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/community-composting

If you are uncertain of the quality of your soil, you can get easy to use soil tests at amazon for 17 dollars. Check latest prices here: Soil testing kit.

Also remember to check out how much sunlight your growing area gets, and that the rain drains well. If you treat your soil well and plan you crops according to your climate you will succeed with any plant you want.

The satisfaction when you harvest your own produce is well worth the time you put in 🙂