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When to Plant Winter Melon in Allen County, OH

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.

Allen County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 593 feet, Allen County receives approximately 40.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Winter Melon during the growing season.

Allen County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Allen County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Winter Melon Planting Timeline — Allen County, OH

Winter Melon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 – May 21
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 – May 21
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 – Sep 24

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 6a

📆 Growing Season

182 days in Allen County

Growing Tips for Allen 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 Allen County, OH?

Allen County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Winter Melon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Allen County, OH?

Allen County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 22.

🌱

Your Allen County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Allen 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 Allen County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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