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When to Plant Honeydew in McMullen County, TX

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.

McMullen County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 20 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 284 days.

At an elevation of 3,741 feet, McMullen County receives approximately 58 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, so Honeydew may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Honeydew root diseases.

McMullen County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
284 days
Last Spring Frost February 20
284 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

McMullen County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 17 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 4

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 442 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Honeydew needs ~2,589 GDD — county provides 7,766 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” McMullen County, TX

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 9a

Growing Season

284 days

Growing Tips for McMullen 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 McMullen County, TX?

McMullen County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 20. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McMullen County, TX?

McMullen County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 20 and first fall frost is December 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help McMullen County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 McMullen County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.