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When to Plant Honeydew in Ste. Genevieve 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.

Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.

At an elevation of 947 feet, Ste. Genevieve County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Honeydew during the growing season.

Ste. Genevieve County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
198 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
198 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Ste. Genevieve County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Sep 17

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 532 gal / 100 sq ft
Honeydew needs ~1,306 GDD — county provides 2,722 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” Ste. Genevieve 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

198 days

Growing Tips for Ste. Genevieve 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 Ste. Genevieve County, MO?

Ste. Genevieve 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 Ste. Genevieve County, MO?

Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ste. Genevieve 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 Ste. Genevieve County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.