When to Plant Winter Melon in USDA Zone 11a
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.
In Zone 11a, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.
Winter Melon Planting Timeline — Zone 11a
Where Is USDA Zone 11a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 11a. Click any state to see the Winter Melon planting schedule for that location.
Winter Melon Planting Calendar — Zone 11a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | November 20 | Nov 20 – Dec 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | January 8 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Direct Sow | January 1 | Jan 1 – Jan 22 |
| Harvest | April 9 | Apr 9 – May 28 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | Start Indoors |
| December | Start Indoors |
Free Zone 11a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 11a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
90–120 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
40°F to 45°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
364 days (Zone 11a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 30 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 42 inches between rows |
Growing Tips for Zone 11a
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
Level Up Your Garden
Saving Winter Melon Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Related Plants
Winter Melon in Other Zones
Winter Melon by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Winter Melon in Zone 11a?
In Zone 11a, plan your Winter Melon planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Start seeds indoors around November 20. Direct sow outdoors around January 1. Transplant seedlings around January 8.
Can Winter Melon grow in Zone 11a?
Yes, Winter Melon can grow well in Zone 11a, hardy in USDA zones 5a through 11b. Zone 11a has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Winter Melon (90-120 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Winter Melon in Zone 11a?
In Zone 11a, expect to harvest Winter Melon from April 9 – May 28. Winter Melon takes 90-120 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 11a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 11a is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Winter Melon?
Good companion plants for Winter Melon include Corn, Radish. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
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