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When to Plant Honeydew in Multnomah County, OR

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.

Multnomah County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 357 feet, Multnomah County receives approximately 35.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Honeydew to ensure they mature before fall.

Multnomah County, OR (Zone 8b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Multnomah County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 3

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 926 gal / 100 sq ft
Honeydew needs ~1,235 GDD — county provides 2,548 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” Multnomah County, OR

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Sep 8

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 8b

Growing Season

196 days

Growing Tips for Multnomah 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 Multnomah County, OR?

Multnomah County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Multnomah County, OR?

Multnomah County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Multnomah County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Multnomah County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.