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How to Grow Melons from Seeds Posted on 28 May 15:36 , 2 comments

Heirloom Melons are a summer favorite and with a little planning, you can grow your own delicious melons from seeds.

 

HEIRLOOM MELON SEEDS

 

From seed to harvest, melons are ready in as few as 70 days. This greatly depends on your soil temperature, weather, type of melon and moisture.

Melons like warm temperatures and plenty of sun.

Prior to planting your melon seeds, prepare your soil with a good layer of compost. If your soil needs a boost, add fertilizer 2 weeks prior to planting.

 

Planting Melon Seeds

Seeds can be sown indoors 4-8 weeks prior to your last frost date or direct sown in the garden after your last frost date.

Plant melon seeds 1/2 inch to 1 inch deep. If you are growing in rows, space several feet apart. If you are growing in hills, plant 4-5 seeds per hill.  If you are growing in raised beds, plant 1 seed per square.

Melon Seeds usually germinate in 3-10 days. This can vary with soil temps and moisture.

Melons plants need 8-10 weeks of good, hot growing weather.

Water deeply and infrequently, one to two inches per week. Use drip hoses, soaker hoses or careful watering of the soil. Keeping the leaves dry with decrease your risk of powdery mildew and other diseases.

 

 

Companion Planting for Melons

Squash bugs, vine borers and striped cucumber beetles are common pests for melons.

Companion planting is definitely worth a try, using repellent plants that deter the squash bug.

They include catnip, tansy, radishes, nasturtiums, marigolds, bee balm and mint.

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

 

Harvesting Melons

Melon fruit will also develop a sweet, musky aroma when ripe

Harvest melons when small cracks appear in the stem where it joins the fruit. Once the cracks circle the stem and the stem looks shriveled, the melon will break off with a slight twist. If more than light effort is needed to remove from the vine, it is not ripe.

 

 

If you have additional questions, please feel free to ask!
Email: mary@marysheirloomseeds.com
HAPPY PLANTING!


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