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When to Plant Honeydew in Nolan 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.

Nolan County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 3,997 feet, Nolan County receives approximately 49.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Honeydew may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Honeydew will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Nolan County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Nolan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 9

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 296 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Honeydew needs ~2,446 GDD — county provides 6,077 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” Nolan County, TX

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Aug 18

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 โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

236 days

Growing Tips for Nolan 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 Nolan County, TX?

Nolan County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nolan County, TX?

Nolan County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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