Honeydew melons require ample space and full sun to thrive. Choose a sunny area with enough space to accommodate the plant’s vines.
How much sunlight does a honeydew melon need?
Keep the soil moist at 70 degrees F. Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days. As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller.
Where does honeydew grow best?
Cantaloupe and honeydew are warm-season crops that grow best at average air temperatures between 65 and 75 °F. It is best to plant when the soil temperature is at least 60 to 65 °F.
How long does honeydew melon take to grow?
Honeydew melons mature in 65 to 100 days, depending on the cultivar.
Can I grow honeydew melon in a container?
Honeydew melons provide a sweet summer treat, but container growing requires special consideration for the long vines. You can grow honeydews in containers on balconies or porches if you provide the necessary support to train the vines vertically.
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 grows well with honeydew?
There are several plants that grow well with honeydew. It can be grown with basil, broccoli, corn, dill, garlic, and mint, just to name a few. The only crops you should not grow near honeydew are cantaloupe, cucumbers, and watermelon, all of which attract similar pests and spread similar diseases to each other.
How much space does a honeydew need?
Space plants 36 to 42 inches apart. Or, to save space, plant melons 12 inches apart at the base of a trellis.
How many melons will 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 do you fertilize a honeydew melon?
Fertilize muskmelons and honeydews with 2 to 3 pounds of fertilizer for every 60 to 70 feet of row. Phosphorous, the second number on the fertilizer label, is most im- portant for muskmelons at planting, and ni- trogen is important when the vines begin to run.
What can you plant next to melons?
Melons are one of the most compatible plants in the garden and do well when planted with most anything including beans, peas, onions, leeks, chives, and garlic. They also flourish with cabbage, broccoli, carrots, kale, okra, cauliflower, spinach, brussel sprouts, and lettuce.
When should I plant honeydew melon?
* Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before average last frost or direct sow 2 weeks after average last frost date. Transplant seedlings 4 weeks after average last frost date.
How deep do melon roots go?
Watermelon roots commonly grow 8 to 10 or more inches deep; the hole and mound become a reservoir of moisture and nutrients.
Can I grow honeydew in a 5 gallon bucket?
Growing Honeydew in containers deep and wide will ensure that your plants have sufficient room to grow and place a trellis for support. It is recommended to grow no more than one Honeydew in a 5 gallon container. Grow bags are also an excellent option, but they tend to be less durable than wooden or plastic containers.
What is the easiest melon to grow?
Cantaloupe are the easiest of all the melon varieties to grow. Look after them well and you will enjoy a tasty treat full of summer goodness.
Do melon plants have deep roots?
Most melons have deep roots and require quite of bit of well-drained, loose soil. I have heard some gardeners say that they give each melon plant at least 5 square feet of soil.
Can you grow melons in hanging baskets?
Melons grow on very sprawling vines that can take up most of a garden bed though. The perfect solution is growing melons vertically. While these fruits are heavy, you can grow melons on a trellis as long as you create a strong support system for the vine and each fruit.
What type of soil do melons like?
sandy loam soils
Melons grow best on well-drained, sandy loam soils, with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Soils with a pH less than 6.0 will produce plants with yellow foliage that set few or no fruit. You can improve your soil by adding well-rotted manure or compost in spring or fall.
What should not be planted near 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!
Will cantaloupe grow in partial shade?
Cantaloupe Planting Basics
Plant cantaloupe seeds in full sun in well-drained soil. They’ll need about 85 days to mature, but don’t rush things.
Can you plant tomatoes and melons together?
Gardeners plant a range of their favorite fruits and vegetables for wide, satisfying harvests. Warm-season plants like tomatoes and melons thrive together with the same temperature, sun, nutrition and water needs, but they require generous spacing for growth.
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.