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When to Plant Honeydew in Bartholomew County, IN

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.

Bartholomew County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 1,376 feet, Bartholomew County receives approximately 40.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Honeydew during the growing season.

Bartholomew County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Bartholomew County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Sep 25

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 179 gal / 100 sq ft
Honeydew needs ~1,591 GDD — county provides 3,199 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” Bartholomew County, IN

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Harvest July 26 Jul 26 โ€“ Sep 6

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 โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
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

191 days

Growing Tips for Bartholomew County

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 Bartholomew County, IN?

Bartholomew County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bartholomew County, IN?

Bartholomew County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bartholomew County 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 Bartholomew County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.