spring.
Plant melon seeds 1 week to 10 days before the last spring frost date. Watermelon and honeydew are more cold-sensitive than cantaloupe. Melons will not all ripen at the same time, so plan to pick them as they become ready.
How long does melon take to grow?
Melons plants require 8-10 weeks of good, hot growing weather from the middle of June to the end of August. During that time, a melon vine must grow 5-9 leaves before starting to flower, then set 4 or more male flowers before making its first female flower, and then ripen its fruit before cool, damp weather sets in.
How long does it take for melons to bear fruit?
100 to 130 days
Growing Melons From Seed
For growing outdoors, melons need on average 100 to 130 days from seeding to harvesting. However, if you are planning to grow melon from seed, there are some facts you need to know. First, melon seeds require at least 18 °C (64 °F) soil temperature in order to germinate.
How many months do melons mature?
About Watermelons
However, gardeners in colder climates can still have success in growing watermelons by starting seeds indoors or purchasing young plants from a nursery, and by growing shorter-season varieties. Depending on the variety of watermelon, it can take between 70 and 100 days to go from planting to harvest.
What month do you grow cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe
| Plant name | Zone | Start seeds outdoors (spring/fall) |
|---|---|---|
| Cantaloupe/Muskmelon | 10a | March 1-April 15 |
| Cantaloupe/Muskmelon | 10b | March 1-April 15 |
| Cantaloupe/Muskmelon | 11a | March 1-April 15 |
| Cantaloupe/Muskmelon | 11b | March 1-April 15 |
How many melons can one plant produce?
To grow them successfully you need to provide them with warmth, water and food. They can be quite vigorous, so regular pruning is needed to keep them under control. Each plant should produce two to four melons.
How deep should soil be for melons?
Work the soil to a depth of 12″, and work in some compost (preferably from cows, horses, or poultry). Use a rake to shape the hills into 4-6″ high, flat-topped mounds and water well. Melon rinds are good for compost; they decompose rapidly and are high in phosphorous and potassium.
What can you not plant with melons?
Plants that don’t do well with melons include other cucurbits such as pumpkins, squash, summer and winter, and cucumbers. Also, avoid planting potatoes with your melons. Tomatoes and peppers don’t thrive with melons because melons take up so much space they crowd them out.
Can you grow melons in pots?
While you can grow full-size melons in containers, you’ll get the best results with dwarf cultivars that produce smaller fruits and shorter vines.
What is the lifespan of melon?
About 2 to 3 melons can be obtained per plant in its single lifespan of 3-4 months. Usually, gardeners purposely keep only one watermelon per plant to harvest big sized fruits.
How many cantaloupes do you get from one plant?
Each plant can produce anywhere from four to eight delicious melons.
Do you water watermelon everyday?
Watermelons do not need water every single day. Only consider watering your watermelons daily when temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C). Watering 1–2 times per week works well as long as temperatures are below 90°F. Try to keep the soil moist to a depth of 12 inches (30 cm) at all times.
Do you have to turn watermelons as they grow?
Yes! We always recommend you rotate crops in your garden as much as possible to prevent diseases and pests. Watermelons should not come after or before any other melons, and if possible, any other members of the cucurbit family (winter squash, cucumbers, zucchini, summer squash, pumpkins).
How long does it take a cantaloupe to grow?
about 80 to 90 days
Cantaloupe matures in about 80 to 90 days. Melons are normally ready to harvest when they start turning yellow on the bottom and the stem starts turning brown.
Can you plant watermelon and cantaloupe together?
No, you shouldn’t plant watermelon and cantaloupe vines close to one another because of the space requirements and shared pest and disease concerns, but you can plant them in a larger bed in different areas with good cultural practices.
What grows well with cantaloupe?
Some of the best companion plants for cantaloupes include marigolds, nasturtiums, radishes, and lettuce. Avoid planting cucumbers, watermelons or squash near cantaloupes, as they are susceptible to the same pests!
Should I trim watermelon vines?
Pruning watermelons promotes healthier vines and increases fruit size. Look for irregular or rotting fruit to prune from the plant. Removing the less than perfect melons will enable the plant to focus energy towards growing bigger, healthier, juicier melons.
How do you pinch a melon plant?
As soon as the plant has formed 3 to 5 leaves, you must pinch off its tip, snipping the main stem off with your fingers to trigger sending off of new shoots. After that, once the new stems have formed, pinch them off, too, after the 3rd leaf.
Does watermelon come back every year?
Watermelon plants do not come back every year as they are tender annuals. This means they complete their entire lifecycle in one season and are then killed off by the first frosts.
What do you feed melon plants?
Feeding your plant is easy, liquid tomato fertiliser is ideal and should be used once a week when the fruit has started to appear. Pollination of the melon plant is key, without it the fruit will not grow.
What is a good fertilizer for watermelons?
For watermelons, apply a fertilizer high in phosphorous, such as 10-10-10, at a rate of 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet (60 to 90 feet of row). Make a trench on the planting bed 4 to 6 inches deep and 2 inches from the side of the row. Cover the fertilizer and plant so seeds do not touch the fertilizer.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.