When to plant watermelon in Arizona
Arizona spans USDA zones 6a–10a, so the right time to plant watermelon shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about January 11 in Bullhead City to June 11 in Flagstaff — below are local dates for 68 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 9b | January 8 | December 25 | January 15 – January 22 |
| Tucson | 9b | February 5 | December 9 | February 12 – February 19 |
| Mesa | 9b | February 1 | December 10 | February 8 – February 15 |
| Gilbert | 9b | February 1 | December 11 | February 8 – February 15 |
| Chandler | 9b | February 13 | December 5 | February 20 – February 27 |
| Glendale | 9b | January 20 | December 15 | January 27 – February 3 |
| Scottsdale | 10a | January 27 | December 21 | February 3 – February 10 |
| Peoria | 9b | February 5 | December 11 | February 12 – February 19 |
Watermelon in Arizona: FAQ
When can I plant watermelon in Arizona?
Across Arizona, the time to transplant watermelon spans roughly January 11 in Bullhead City to June 11 in Flagstaff, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the watermelon planting date vary across Arizona?
Yes. Arizona publishes 68 cities with their own frost dates, so the right watermelon planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does watermelon take to grow in Arizona?
Watermelon takes about 75–95 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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