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When to Plant Winter Melon in Grayson County, TX

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.

Grayson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 249 days.

At an elevation of 248 feet, Grayson County receives approximately 71.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°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.

Grayson County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
249 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
249 growing days
First Fall Frost November 18

Grayson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Winter Melon Planting Timeline — Grayson County, TX

Winter Melon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 24 Jan 24 – Feb 7
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 11
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

249 days in Grayson County

Growing Tips for Grayson 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 Grayson County, TX?

Grayson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Winter Melon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grayson County, TX?

Grayson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 18.

🌱

Your Grayson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Grayson County (Zone 8a). 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 Grayson County, TX. 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.