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When to Plant Honeydew in Ellis County, KS

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.

Ellis County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 664 feet, Ellis County receives approximately 20.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Honeydew during the growing season.

Ellis County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Ellis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Sep 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Oct 5

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 952 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Honeydew needs ~1,662 GDD — county provides 3,045 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” Ellis County, KS

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 โ€“ May 29
Harvest August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Sep 18

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 โ€”
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

174 days

Growing Tips for Ellis 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 Ellis County, KS?

Ellis County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ellis County, KS?

Ellis County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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