melons are a favorite fruit to grow and eat.Watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe and muskmelon are some of the delicious melons that require the same conditions to grow.The best time to grow melons is in warm weather.You can grow melons in the summer with the right growing conditions and gardening supplies.
Step 1: There is a sunny location.
Pick a spot where you can get a lot of sunshine and warm weather.The seeds will not grow if the ground temperature is less than 70 degrees F.
Step 2: You shouldfertilize your soil.
If the soil's pH is between 6.0 and 6.8, there is enough calcium in the garden.Compost or a naturalfertilizer from a nursery or home and garden store can be used to fertilize your plant beds once your pH levels are correct.This will make sure that your melons are planted in a good environment.
Step 3: The melons will be planted in the area where you cultivate.
If you want to grow melons, you'll need at least a 4x6 foot area, so be sure to remove any sticks or rocks in the vicinity.If you want to prepare the soil in your plant beds, break it up with a shovel or a tiller.
Step 4: Start your melon seeds indoors.
If you live in an area with long winters and short summers, it is best to start growing melons indoors.If you plant indoors, place seeds in containers.When the weather is warm, transplant your plants outdoors.
Step 5: After the last frost, plant melons.
If the soil temperature is less than 70 degrees F, melon seeds won't grow, so it's important to know when your environment will be able to support melon growth.Most of the time, you should begin planting in late May and early June.If there is a chance of frost, don't plant melons.If the soil gets too cold, melon plants will not survive.You must wait until after the last expected frost of spring to plant seeds.
Step 6: There are mounds of dirt in your plant bed.
The mound should be between 1 foot (30 cm) high and between 2 feet (0.61–0.91 m) wide.To make sure your melon vines have enough space to grow, leave about 1–2 feet between each mound and space rows about 4 feet apart.
Step 7: Put seeds in each mound of dirt.
Your seeds should be planted below the surface of your dirt mounds.If you purchased seedlings from a nursery and started growing them indoors, you should plant 2 to 3 seedlings per mound.When you are done planting, water the area.
Step 8: Perennials can be protected with mulch, landscaping fabric, or row covers.
If you live in a cooler climate, covering the area where you are planting melons with plastic mulch or black landscaping fabric will help preserve the heat in the soil and keep your seedlings warm.You can protect your plants from pests by covering them with floating row covers.It's still recommended to use some form of insulation to make sure that your plants are warm enough to grow.
Step 9: During the summer, water the melon plants every 2 to 3 days.
If the weather is hot and dry, make sure to water your melon plants more often.Overwatering your plants can cause your melons to rot.Adding mulch around the melon plants will help absorb water if it is on top of the soil.As your melons begin to mature, you should water your plants less frequently.
Step 10: Fertilize.
You can buy a well-balancedFertilizer at plant nurseries or home and garden stores.You can make your own compost tea.Put your compost orfertilizer in a bucket and use your hands to spread it around around your plants.
Step 11: Plants can show signs of pests or disease.
Row covers can be used to keep bugs and insects away from your plants.If you see white, powdery patches or spots on the leaves or stems of your plants, it's a sign of powdery mildew.If your plants are affected by powdery mildew, you should remove the affected plant parts and spray the rest of your garden with a fungicide or copper spray.If you want to get rid of aphids, spray your plants early in the morning.As needed, repeat.Cucumber beetles can be seen if you apply a pyrethrins mix to the soil.Black plastic can be used to protect your plants and keep pests away.
Step 12: You should harvest melons.
melons are ready to eat by late summer or early fallWhen you can smell the melon, you know it is ready for harvest.When melons are picked from the vine, they will become softer, but not sweeter.You can keep melons in the refrigerator for up to 12 days if you don't eat them right away.