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Yes, you can grow watermelon in Colorado, and many gardeners do it successfully every summer.
The key is choosing the right variety, planting at the right time, and giving your melons enough heat to ripen before the first frost.
Colorado has a short growing season in many areas, but with a little planning, you can absolutely grow watermelon here.
If you’ve been wondering whether you can grow watermelon in Colorado, the answer is a confident yes.
In this post, we’ll cover how to grow watermelon in Colorado, the best varieties for our climate, and tips to get sweet, juicy fruit.
Let’s dig in.
Why You Can Grow Watermelon in Colorado
You can grow watermelon in Colorado because our summers are sunny, warm, and dry, which watermelons actually love.
Watermelons are heat-loving plants that thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
Colorado’s high altitude means intense sunlight, and that helps watermelons grow fast and develop sugar.
The main challenge is our short season, especially along the Front Range and in mountain areas.
But if you pick the right variety and start early, growing watermelon in Colorado is very doable.
1. Colorado’s Climate Works With the Right Timing
Watermelon needs about 70 to 90 days of warm weather to ripen.
In most of Colorado, our frost-free window runs from late May to early October.
That’s enough time if you choose short-season varieties and start seeds indoors.
On the Western Slope, where summers are hotter, you can grow watermelon in Colorado even more easily.
2. Full Sun Is Easy to Find Here
Colorado averages over 300 days of sunshine a year, and watermelons need at least 8 hours of direct sun daily.
That abundant sunlight is a big reason you can grow watermelon in Colorado so well.
Just make sure your planting spot isn’t shaded by trees or buildings.
3. Dry Air Reduces Disease Pressure
Watermelons can struggle with fungal diseases in humid climates.
Colorado’s dry air helps prevent many of those problems naturally.
That said, you still need consistent watering since our soil dries out fast.
Best Watermelon Varieties for Colorado
If you want to grow watermelon in Colorado, choosing a short-season variety is the smartest move.
1. Blacktail Mountain
This is one of the best choices if you want to grow watermelon in Colorado.
It ripens in about 70 days and was actually developed for short-season climates.
The fruit is sweet, dark green, and weighs around 8 to 12 pounds.
2. Sugar Baby
Sugar Baby is a classic icebox watermelon that matures in 75 to 80 days.
It’s compact, perfect for small gardens, and reliably sweet.
Many Colorado gardeners grow watermelon like Sugar Baby with great results.
3. Crimson Sweet
Crimson Sweet takes about 85 days, so it’s better for warmer parts of the state.
If you live on the Western Slope or in a lower-elevation area, you can grow watermelon like Crimson Sweet without much trouble.
4. Yellow Doll
Yellow Doll is another short-season option at around 75 days.
It has yellow flesh, a thin rind, and a lovely sweet flavor.
It’s a fun one to grow watermelon in Colorado when you want something different.
How to Grow Watermelon in Colorado Successfully
Growing watermelon in Colorado takes a bit of strategy, but the steps are simple.
1. Start Seeds Indoors
Begin your watermelon seeds indoors about 3 to 4 weeks before your last frost date.
Along the Front Range, that’s usually mid to late April.
Use peat pots or biodegradable containers since watermelons dislike root disturbance.
2. Wait for Warm Soil
Don’t transplant until the soil is at least 60°F and all frost danger has passed.
In most of Colorado, that means late May or early June.
Cold soil will stunt your plants and slow everything down.
3. Use Black Plastic or Row Covers
Black plastic mulch warms the soil and helps you grow watermelon in Colorado faster.
Row covers can protect young plants from chilly nights early in the season.
Just remove the covers once flowers appear so pollinators can get in.
4. Water Deeply and Consistently
Watermelons need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
Water deeply at the base rather than overhead to keep leaves dry.
Reduce watering as the fruit ripens to concentrate the sugars.
5. Feed Them Well
Use compost or a balanced fertilizer at planting time.
Too much nitrogen gives you lots of vines but few melons.
A little phosphorus and potassium support healthy fruit development.
So, Can You Grow Watermelon in Colorado?
Yes, you can grow watermelon in Colorado, and with the right variety and timing, you’ll get a harvest worth bragging about.
Choose short-season types like Blacktail Mountain or Sugar Baby, start seeds indoors, and keep your plants warm and well-watered.
Growing watermelon in Colorado isn’t just possible, it’s a rewarding summer project.
Give it a try this season and enjoy fresh, homegrown melon straight from your own garden.