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When to Plant Melon in Androscoggin County, ME

Melons are warm-season vine crops that produce sweet, juicy fruits in many varieties including muskmelon and honeydew. They need a long, hot growing season.

Androscoggin County, Maine is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 1,087 feet, Androscoggin County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Melon during the growing season.

Androscoggin County, ME (Zone 5a) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 8
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Androscoggin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Oct 6

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Melon needs ~1,296 GDD — county provides 2,302 GDD Excellent fit

Melon Planting Timeline โ€” Androscoggin County, ME

Melon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Transplant Outdoors May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jun 5
Direct Sow May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jun 5
Harvest July 31 Jul 31 โ€“ Sep 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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

70โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

151 days

Growing Tips for Androscoggin County

Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting. Plant on raised mounds of compost-enriched soil. Reduce watering as fruits ripen to concentrate sweetness.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes
  • Cucumber

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Melon in Androscoggin County, ME?

Androscoggin County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 8. Plan your Melon planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Androscoggin County, ME?

Androscoggin County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Androscoggin County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Androscoggin County, ME. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.