Blog

When to Plant Melon in Walworth 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.

Walworth County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 1,101 feet, Walworth County receives approximately 39.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Melon during the growing season.

Walworth County, WI (Zone 5b) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Walworth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Melon Planting Timeline — Walworth County, WI

Melon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 – May 24
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 – May 24
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 – Sep 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
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

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

170 days in Walworth County

Growing Tips for Walworth 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

  • Potatoes
  • Cucumber

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Melon in Walworth County, WI?

Walworth County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Melon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Walworth County, WI?

Walworth County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 13.

🌱

Your Walworth County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Walworth County (Zone 5b). 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 Walworth County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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