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ZIP 70112 planting calendar

When to plant watermelon in New Orleans, LA - Zone 9b

In ZIP 70112, plant watermelon around Feb 24; this uses the New Orleans frost station, USDA zone 9b, and watermelon timing rules.

Your New Orleans calendar has a 303-day estimated frost-free season. This estimate uses the representative New Orleans frost station, USDA zone 9b, and watermelon timing rules.

Source: new-orleans-lakefront frost station, USDA zone 9b, last updated 2026-06-28. Verify locally before planting high-value crops because microclimates, current weather, and yard exposure can move the safe date.

Reviewed by GrowZone Editorial. Calculated from the new-orleans-lakefront frost station and USDA zone 9b, last updated 2026-06-28.

In the New Orleans area, watermelon timing follows the New Orleans frost window, so the local ZIP date can differ from a broad zone-only calendar.

USDA zone 9b New Orleans frost station LSU AgCenter Updated 2026-06-28
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Answer first

When to start watermelon seeds indoors in New Orleans

In ZIP 70112, start watermelon seeds indoors around Jan 20, about 21 days before the Feb 10 last-frost estimate.

Start watermelon seeds indoors in New Orleans around Jan 20, about 21 days before the Feb 10 last-frost estimate.

Seed starting schedule

Watermelon dates for New Orleans, LA

StepDateHow to use it
Start IndoorsJanuary 20, 2026Start seeds under lights or in a bright indoor seed-starting space.
Transplant OutdoorsFebruary 24, 2026Move hardened-off seedlings outside after the frost-risk window.
Direct SowFebruary 24, 2026Sow seed outside when the crop and soil can handle the window.

Last frost

When is the last frost in New Orleans?

New Orleans (ZIP 70112) has an average last spring frost around Feb 10.

First frost

When is the first frost in New Orleans?

The average first fall frost is around Dec 10, giving about 303 frost-free days.

Season map

Watermelon windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Start indoors
Jan 20
Direct sow
Feb 24
Transplant
Feb 24
Harvest
May 25
Frost watch
Sep 11

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Start watermelon indoorsJan 20
Last frost windowFeb 10
Direct sow watermelonFeb 24
Transplant watermelonFeb 24
First watermelon harvest windowMay 25
Last watermelon sowing targetSep 11
SignalValueWhy it matters
Last frost estimateFebruary 10, 2026Warm-season transplant risk starts falling after this window.
First frost estimateDecember 10, 2026Fall planting counts backward from this date.
Season length303 daysLonger seasons can support succession crops.
Spacing36-60 inAirflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature70 F+Seeds and transplants stall in cold soil.

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Local data

Why this date changes by ZIP

New Orleans frost history and USDA zone 9b shift the safe planting window. GrowZone uses a local representative station instead of one national rule.

LSU AgCenter is the kind of local source to verify against when a crop is expensive, weather is unusual, or your yard has a cold pocket.

Crop note

Watermelon timing notes

Wait for warm soil; watermelon stalls when nights stay cool. Watermelon prefers full sun, 36-60 in spacing, and soil near 70 F+.

For fall, count backward from Dec 10. A conservative last sowing target is around Sep 11.