Blog

When to Plant Honeydew in Terrebonne 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.

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 7 and the first fall frost is December 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 304 days.

At an elevation of 484 feet, Terrebonne Parish receives approximately 61.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, 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.

Terrebonne Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Year-round
304 days
Last Spring Frost February 7
304 growing days
First Fall Frost December 8

Terrebonne Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (171 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 8 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jun 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 26

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Honeydew needs ~2,518 GDD — county provides 8,082 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” Terrebonne Parish, LA

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Transplant Outdoors
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
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 9a

Growing Season

304 days

Growing Tips for Terrebonne 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 Terrebonne Parish, LA?

Terrebonne Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 7. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Terrebonne Parish, LA?

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 7 and first fall frost is December 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Terrebonne Parish gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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