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When to Plant Honeydew in Perry County, MO

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.

Perry County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 695 feet, Perry County receives approximately 36.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Honeydew during the growing season.

Perry County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Perry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Aug 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Sep 18

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
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 377 gal / 100 sq ft
Honeydew needs ~1,734 GDD — county provides 3,540 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” Perry County, MO

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 15
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 โ€“ Sep 4

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 Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Perry 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 Perry County, MO?

Perry County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Perry County, MO?

Perry County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Perry County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Perry County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.