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When to Plant Honeydew in East Feliciana Parish, LA

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.

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 17 and the first fall frost is December 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 288 days.

At an elevation of 75 feet, East Feliciana Parish receives approximately 55.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Honeydew may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Honeydew will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Honeydew root diseases.

East Feliciana Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Year-round
288 days
Last Spring Frost February 17
288 growing days
First Fall Frost December 2

East Feliciana Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Honeydew needs ~2,090 GDD — county provides 6,358 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” East Feliciana Parish, LA

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Harvest June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jul 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

288 days

Growing Tips for East Feliciana Parish

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 East Feliciana Parish, LA?

East Feliciana Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 17. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is East Feliciana Parish, LA?

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 17 and first fall frost is December 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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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 East Feliciana Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.