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Honeydew Melon
Photo: "Honeydew Melons" by Mike Mozart · CC BY 2.0
Vegetable · Melon

Honeydew Melon

Cucurbitaceae

Also called 'temptation melon.' THE longest-season melon — needs 100+ warm days. ADVANCED difficulty: longest DTM, hardest ripeness judgment, highest heat requirement. NON-CLIMACTERIC: will NOT sweeten after harvest — MUST be picked at peak. Higher sugar content than cantaloupe when properly grown. Does NOT slip from vine — must be cut. Smooth waxy pale green rind. Best in zones 8a-10b. NOT recommended for beginners or short-season zones. Longest melon storage (2-3 weeks refrigerated).

At a Glance

Days to Maturity
100–115 days
Sun
8+ hours
Seed Start
3–4 weeks
before transplant
Container
Not Ideal

Zone Planting Guide

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 5–14 days
Optimal Temp 85°F
Seed Depth 1"

Transplanting

Min Soil Temp 70°F

Watering

Weekly Water 1–2 "
Needs High

Soil

pH Range 6–6.8

Resilience

Heat: High Cold: Low Drought: Medium

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Heavy feeder
Recommended Recipes Worm castings topdress, Compost tea, Kelp foliar

Sources

university USU Extension — Honeydew/Winter Melons university UMD Extension — Melon Ripening/Harvest university Clemson Extension university University of Minnesota Extension — Growing melons in the home garden university Utah State University Extension — How to Grow Honeydew and Other Winter Melons in Your Garden university Colorado State University Extension — PlantTalk: Warm season vegetables (frost tender, best growth temps) university University of Maryland Extension — Ripening behaviors and harvest indexes of watermelons, cantaloupes and honeydew melons

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Honeydew Melon Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Honeydew Melon vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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