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When to Plant Honeydew in Hickman County, TN

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.

Hickman County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 3,091 feet, Hickman County receives approximately 41.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Honeydew during the growing season.

Hickman County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Hickman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 232 gal / 100 sq ft
Honeydew needs ~1,948 GDD — county provides 4,100 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” Hickman County, TN

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Sep 3

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 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 7a

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Hickman 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 Hickman County, TN?

Hickman County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hickman County, TN?

Hickman County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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