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When to Plant Honeydew in New Kent County, VA

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.

New Kent County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 210 days.

At an elevation of 872 feet, New Kent County receives approximately 44.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Honeydew during the growing season.

New Kent County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
210 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
210 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

New Kent County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 12

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 242 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Honeydew needs ~1,591 GDD — county provides 3,517 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” New Kent County, VA

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Aug 31

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 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 7a

Growing Season

210 days

Growing Tips for New Kent 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 New Kent County, VA?

New Kent County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is New Kent County, VA?

New Kent County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help New Kent County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for New Kent County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.