Blog

When to Plant Honeydew in Tishomingo County, MS

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.

Tishomingo County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 101 feet, Tishomingo County receives approximately 56.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Honeydew during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Honeydew, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Honeydew root diseases.

Tishomingo County, MS (Zone 7b) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
213 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Tishomingo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 10

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Honeydew needs ~1,662 GDD — county provides 3,727 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” Tishomingo County, MS

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Aug 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

213 days

Growing Tips for Tishomingo 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 Tishomingo County, MS?

Tishomingo County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tishomingo County, MS?

Tishomingo County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tishomingo County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Tishomingo County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.