Overwintering guide
How to overwinter honeydew melon
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills honeydew melon in winter
Cutting honeydew melon hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More honeydew melon care
- Overwintering honeydew melon — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Overwintering honeydew melon — our other guide for the same plant
- Full honeydew melon care guide
- Honeydew Melon temperature range
- How often to water honeydew melon
- How to prune honeydew melon
- Common honeydew melon problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering honeydew melon — FAQ
Does honeydew melon need to come indoors for winter?
Honeydew Melon is hardy to roughly USDA zone 4 — winter lows around -34°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Honeydew Melon is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move honeydew melon for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water honeydew melon in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills honeydew melon over winter?
Cutting honeydew melon hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.