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When to Plant Honeydew in Clark County, WI

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.

Clark County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 850 feet, Clark County receives approximately 39.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Honeydew to ensure they mature before fall.

Clark County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
140 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 6
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Oct 14
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 18 🍅 Harvest: Sep 10 – Oct 22

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Honeydew needs ~1,092 GDD — county provides 1,610 GDD Excellent fit

Honeydew Planting Timeline โ€” Clark County, WI

Honeydew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jun 24
Harvest September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Oct 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

140 days

Growing Tips for Clark 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 Clark County, WI?

Clark County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Honeydew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, WI?

Clark County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clark County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Clark County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.