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SUS Farms · Utah Seed Library

Growing Watermelon in Utah

fruit · Cucurbitaceae · warm season · 85 days to harvest

MethodIndoor or direct
Days to maturity85 days
Seed depth1″
Plant spacing36″
Row spacing72″
Germ. temp75–95°F

Schedule (May 15 last frost · Sevier County)

Start indoors4/24
Transplant out5/29
Direct sow5/29
First harvest8/21

Planting depth, drawn to scale

0"1"2"3"4"5"6"1" deep

Step-by-step

  1. 1. Start indoors 3 weeks before last frost. Seed-starting mix in 2-4" cells. Bottom heat at 75–95°F until germination, then drop to room temperature. 14-16 hours of light from clip-lamp 2" from leaves.
  2. 2. Harden off for 7 days. Day 1: 1 hour outside in shade. Add an hour and more sun each day. Skip if windy or below 50°F.
  3. 3. Transplant 36″ apart in rows 72″ apart. Soil should be at least 75°F before planting. Black plastic mulch laid two weeks ahead helps in cool springs.
  4. 4. Mulch and water consistently. 2" of straw or wood chip around the base. Drip line at surface. 1" per week including rain.
  5. 5. Harvest around day 85. Sugar Baby is the right size for short Utah summers. Tap test: ripe melons sound hollow.