This year, when we planted our Roma tomatoes, we mixed in some of last year’s compost in the bed. For all the other beds, we used aged hay from a friend’s horses and goats. By the time we got to the Romas, we’d run out of farm “stuff.” I’d started my Romas from seed, and a friend had given me some extras. Imagine my surprise when hundreds of melon plants started sprouting in the tomato bed! Turns out, someone tossed melon seeds into the compost bin—a big no-no around here.
We ended up moving the Romas and letting the melons take over—after thinning out a bunch, of course. They’re watermelons, and they look really healthy. There are even a few yellow squash plants growing in the compost bin. We just let them do their thing and moved our pile. Why is it that volunteer plants always seem to thrive better than the ones I intentionally plant?
We’ve only had so-so luck with melons in the past, but I’m crossing my fingers for a better year. We set up our homemade drip irrigation in the melon patch—basically milk jugs with holes poked in them, buried in the soil. We also planted some honeydew and cantaloupe in the onion patch. The onions should be ready to harvest before the melons get too big.
Watermelon growing
Here’s some handy melon-growing advice:
- Melons grow just fine when direct-seeded in the garden.
- Plant them in hills (helps keep track of where the seeds are!).
- Sow 3 seeds per hill and thin if needed. (If your hills are big enough, you might not need to thin.)
- Keep them well-watered. The plants might survive with little water, but they won’t produce good fruit—especially watermelons, which need plenty of moisture.
- If you’re planting transplants, toss in a few seeds too. That way, you’ll have plants at different stages.
- Avoid watering the leaves—just the soil (that’s where the milk jug trick comes in handy).
- Sun helps melons ripen. Try a DIY “solar heater” by placing a melon on top of a large juice can. (This tip’s from The All You Can Eat Gardening Handbook by Cam Mather.)
Pests and Problems:
- Cucumber beetles—You’ll find these in the flowers. Squish them.
- Squash bugs—They hang out at the base of the plant and crawl up to lay eggs. Try putting a board near the base at night, then check underneath in the morning for bugs.
- Squash bugs lay orange-ish eggs on the undersides of leaves. Squish them—or if you can’t, remove the leaf and burn it.
- Powdery mildew—A white fungus that attacks squash, melons, and cucumbers. It’s caused by excess leaf moisture and spreads via bugs. We cut off infected leaves and burn them. Last year was rough, so we’re adjusting our watering to avoid it this time.
- Place a paper plate under melons (and winter squash) to keep them off the ground and away from bugs. I tried this last year after reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.
When we harvested our watermelons last year after the vines died, most weren’t ripe. This year, I might try black plates to attract more sun.
Harvesting and Storing:
Figuring out when to pick melons is tricky. Some folks thump them, wait for the underside to turn a certain color, or watch for the vine to die—there are all kinds of tricks. For us, it’s mostly trial and error. We wait as long as possible, then eat a ton of melon. We go for cantaloupe and honeydews first, then watermelons, since those seem to last a bit longer.
My go-to bug book is Howard Garrett’s Texas Bug Book—it’s packed with photos and solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Growing Melons
1. Can you plant melons directly in the garden from seed?
- Yes, melons grow very well when direct-seeded in the garden. Plant them in “hills” (small mounds of soil) to help keep track of where the seeds are planted. It’s also a good idea to sow 3 seeds per hill and thin them if necessary.
2. How should I water my melons?
- Melons need consistent moisture to produce good fruit, especially watermelons. Water the soil, not the leaves. A good method is using a “milk jug trick,” where you bury milk jugs with holes in them to allow water to slowly seep into the soil. This helps to avoid wetting the leaves, which can lead to diseases like powdery mildew.
3. How do I deal with pests like cucumber beetles and squash bugs?
- Cucumber beetles are often found in the flowers, and you can manually remove or squish them.
- Squash bugs hang around the base of the plant and lay eggs on the undersides of leaves. You can remove the eggs or leaves with eggs and burn them. To find these pests, try placing a board near the base at night, and then check underneath in the morning for the bugs.
4. What should I do about powdery mildew?
- Powdery mildew is a common issue for melons, cucumbers, and squash. It’s caused by excess moisture on the leaves and spreads through bugs. You can cut off infected leaves and burn them to prevent the spread. Additionally, adjusting your watering technique to avoid wetting the leaves can help prevent powdery mildew.
5. How can I improve melon ripening?
- To help melons ripen, place a paper plate under the fruit to keep it off the ground and away from pests. You can also try using black plates under melons to attract more sunlight, which may help them ripen faster.
6. How do I know when melons are ripe for harvesting?
- It’s a bit of trial and error. Some tricks include:
- Thumping the melon to check if it sounds hollow.
- Checking for color change on the underside of the melon.
- Watching for the vine to die—this can indicate that the melon is ready.
- Cantaloupe and honeydew melons are generally harvested first, as they ripen quicker than watermelons, which tend to last longer.
7. Can I grow melons in containers?
- Yes, melons can be grown in containers, especially if you’re limited on space. Ensure the container is large enough to accommodate their root systems and provide adequate drainage.
Conclusion
Growing melons in your garden is a rewarding endeavor, though it requires a bit of attention to detail. By choosing the right planting methods, monitoring for pests, and using helpful techniques like the milk jug trick and paper plates, you can grow healthy, delicious melons. Remember to stay patient and experiment with different harvesting techniques to enjoy the best melon harvest possible! Happy gardening!
