When to Plant Melon in Pepin County, WI
Melons are warm-season vine crops that produce sweet, juicy fruits in many varieties including muskmelon and honeydew. They need a long, hot growing season.
Pepin County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 158 days.
At an elevation of 1,052 feet, Pepin County receives approximately 38.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Melon to ensure they mature before fall.
Pepin County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Melon Planting Timeline — Pepin County, WI
Melon Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 23 | May 23 – Jun 6 |
| Direct Sow | May 16 | May 16 – Jun 6 |
| Harvest | August 1 | Aug 1 – Sep 19 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | — |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
📅 Days to Maturity
70–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4b
📆 Growing Season
158 days in Pepin County
Growing Tips for Pepin County
Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting. Plant on raised mounds of compost-enriched soil. Reduce watering as fruits ripen to concentrate sweetness.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Melon in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Melon in Pepin County, WI?
Pepin County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Melon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Pepin County, WI?
Pepin County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 7.
Your Pepin County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Pepin County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.