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When to Plant Honeydew in Haines Borough, AK

Honeydew melons have smooth, pale green rinds and sweet, light green flesh. They require a long, warm growing season and are slightly more heat-tolerant than cantaloupe.

Haines Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 1,921 feet, Haines Borough receives approximately 57.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 68ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Honeydew to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Honeydew root diseases.

Haines Borough, AK (Zone 6a) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 7
145 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Haines Borough Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Sep 22
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Oct 1
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 18 🍅 Harvest: Sep 10 – Oct 22

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Honeydew needs ~95 GDD — county provides 145 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” Haines Borough, AK

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 11
Harvest August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Oct 1

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

80โ€“110 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

145 days

Growing Tips for Haines Borough

Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before transplanting. Plant on raised mounds of rich soil. Harvest when the blossom end gives slightly when pressed and the skin turns creamy yellow.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Honeydew in Haines Borough, AK?

Haines Borough is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Haines Borough, AK?

Haines Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Haines Borough gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Haines Borough, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.