Blog

When to Plant Winter Melon in Sequatchie County, TN

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.

Sequatchie County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 3,890 feet, Sequatchie County receives approximately 52.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Winter Melon during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Winter Melon root diseases.

Sequatchie County, TN (Zone 7b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Sequatchie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Winter Melon Planting Timeline — Sequatchie County, TN

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

206 days in Sequatchie County

Growing Tips for Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie County, TN?

Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie County, TN?

Sequatchie County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 29.

🌱

Your Sequatchie County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie County, TN. 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.