Blog

When to plant Winter Melon in Seward County, KS

Seward County's climate puts the Winter Melon spring window between April 25 and May 16. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival.

When to Plant Winter Melon in Seward 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.

Seward County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 860 feet, Seward County receives approximately 24.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Winter Melon during the growing season.

Seward County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Seward County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Winter Melon Planting Timeline — Seward County, KS

Winter Melon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 – May 16
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 – Sep 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
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 6b

📆 Growing Season

183 days in Seward County

Growing Tips for Seward 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 Seward County, KS?

Seward County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Winter Melon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Seward County, KS?

Seward County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 18.

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

In Seward County, KS, plant Winter Melon after the last frost (around April 18) and before the first frost (around October 18). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

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

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

Can Winter Melon grow in Seward County's climate?

Yes — Winter Melon grows well in Seward County's temperate climate. Seward County averages a 183-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 18 and first frost around October 18.

🌱

Your Seward County Garden Planner — Free

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

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.