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When to plant Winter Melon in Phillips County, KS

Plant Winter Melon in Phillips County after April 29; the prime window is May 6–May 27.

When to Plant Winter Melon in Phillips County, KS

Winter melon (wax gourd) is a large Asian squash with a waxy white coating that allows long storage. The mild flesh is used in soups and stir-fries.

Phillips County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 164 days.

At an elevation of 929 feet, Phillips County receives approximately 32.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Winter Melon to ensure they mature before fall.

Phillips County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
164 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
164 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Phillips County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Winter Melon Planting Timeline — Phillips County, KS

Winter Melon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 – May 27
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 – May 27
Harvest August 12 Aug 12 – Sep 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

164 days in Phillips County

Growing Tips for Phillips County

Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks early. Provide ample space for sprawling vines. Harvest when the waxy coating develops on the rind. Fruits can weigh 15-30 pounds.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Winter Melon in Phillips County, KS?

Phillips County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Winter Melon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phillips County, KS?

Phillips County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 10.

When should I plant Winter Melon in Phillips County, KS?

In Phillips County, KS, plant Winter Melon after the last frost (around April 29) and before the first frost (around October 10). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Phillips County, KS for Winter Melon?

Phillips County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Winter Melon grows reliably in zones 5a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Winter Melon grow in Phillips County's climate?

Yes — Winter Melon grows well in Phillips County's temperate climate. Phillips County averages a 164-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 29 and first frost around October 10.

🌱

Your Phillips County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Phillips County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Phillips County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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