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When to Plant Winter Melon in Throckmorton 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.

Throckmorton County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,952 feet, Throckmorton County receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly 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.

Throckmorton County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Throckmorton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Winter Melon Planting Timeline — Throckmorton County, TX

Winter Melon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 10 Feb 10 – Feb 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 28
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 – Sep 1

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 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 8a

📆 Growing Season

223 days in Throckmorton County

Growing Tips for Throckmorton 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 Throckmorton County, TX?

Throckmorton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Winter Melon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Throckmorton County, TX?

Throckmorton County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 9.

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Your Throckmorton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Throckmorton 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 Throckmorton 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.