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When to Plant Honeydew in West 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.

West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 21 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 278 days.

At an elevation of 225 feet, West Feliciana Parish receives approximately 60.1 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.

West Feliciana Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Year-round
278 days
Last Spring Frost February 21
278 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

West Feliciana Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (132 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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Honeydew needs ~2,090 GDD — county provides 6,138 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” West Feliciana Parish, LA

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 18

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

278 days

Growing Tips for West 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 West Feliciana Parish, LA?

West Feliciana Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 21. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is West Feliciana Parish, LA?

West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 21 and first fall frost is November 26.

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