When to Plant Melon in Ottawa County, KS
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.
Ottawa County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.
At an elevation of 993 feet, Ottawa County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Melon during the growing season.
Ottawa County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Melon Planting Timeline — Ottawa County, KS
Melon Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 28 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Direct Sow | April 21 | Apr 21 – May 12 |
| Harvest | July 7 | Jul 7 – Aug 25 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
📅 Days to Maturity
70–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
192 days in Ottawa County
Growing Tips for Ottawa 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
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Melon in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Melon in Ottawa County, KS?
Ottawa County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Melon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Ottawa County, KS?
Ottawa County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 23.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Ottawa County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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