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When to Plant Winter Melon in Pontotoc 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.

Pontotoc County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 857 feet, Pontotoc County receives approximately 23.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Winter Melon during the growing season.

Pontotoc County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Pontotoc County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Winter Melon Planting Timeline — Pontotoc County, OK

Winter Melon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Direct Sow April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 24
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 – Aug 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

220 days in Pontotoc County

Growing Tips for Pontotoc 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 Pontotoc County, OK?

Pontotoc County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Winter Melon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pontotoc County, OK?

Pontotoc County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 2.

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Your Pontotoc County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Pontotoc 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.

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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 Pontotoc County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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