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When to Plant Bitter Melon in Meigs County, OH

Bitter melon is a tropical vine producing warty, bitter fruits used in Asian and Indian cuisine. The intense bitterness is prized for its culinary and health properties.

Meigs County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 843 feet, Meigs County receives approximately 37.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Bitter Melon during the growing season.

Meigs County, OH (Zone 6b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Meigs County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Bitter Melon Planting Timeline — Meigs County, OH

Bitter Melon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors May 8 May 8 – May 22
Direct Sow May 1 May 1 – May 22
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 – Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April
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

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

181 days in Meigs County

Growing Tips for Meigs County

Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before last frost. Provide a trellis for climbing. Harvest fruits while still green and firm. Reduce bitterness by salting sliced fruit before cooking.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bitter Melon in Meigs County, OH?

Meigs County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Bitter Melon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Meigs County, OH?

Meigs County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 22.

🌱

Your Meigs County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Meigs 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.

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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 Meigs 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.