Blog

When to Plant Winter Melon in Kiowa County, OK

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.

Kiowa County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 212 days.

At an elevation of 967 feet, Kiowa County receives approximately 21.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Winter Melon during the growing season.

Kiowa County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
212 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
212 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Kiowa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Winter Melon

Winter Melon needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Winter Melon Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Kiowa County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Winter Melon Planting Timeline — Kiowa County, OK

Winter Melon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 – May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 – May 4
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 – Sep 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Harvest
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 7b

📆 Growing Season

212 days in Kiowa County

Growing Tips for Kiowa 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 Kiowa County, OK?

Kiowa County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Winter Melon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kiowa County, OK?

Kiowa County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 4.

🌱

Your Kiowa County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Kiowa County (Zone 7b). 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 Kiowa County, OK. 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.