How to Grow Melons
DOWNLOADMay 23, 2016
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Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo)
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
- Family: Cucurbitaceae (Cucurbits)
- Season: Warm
- Ease of growing: Moderate
- Fertility needs: Medium
- Water needs: Medium-high
- Common propagation: Seed
Seed facts
- Germination temperatures: 65°F to 85°F
- Germination time: 6 to 18 days
- Viability: 3 years
- Direct sow: late May to June
Transplants
- Weeks to grow transplant: 3 to 4
- Start: late April to May
- Plant out: late May to June
Planning facts
- Spacing: 18” to 24” in 6’ rows
- Plants per square foot: 0.5
- Days to harvest: 85 to 100 from seed; 70 to 85 from transplants
Variety selection
Melons are a diverse group that includes three major categories: muskmelons, honeydew melons and watermelons. Muskmelons and cantaloupes generally have netted or ribbed skins and orange flesh. Honeydews are closely related to muskmelons but have smooth skin and green flesh. Watermelons are a different species originating from tropical Africa with greater heat requirements and a longer growing season than muskmelons and honeydews.
Preparation and planting
Melons require a lot of light to mature good quality fruit, so they are difficult to grow successfully in partly shaded gardens. Lighter textured soils high in organic matter are best for melons. In areas with short growing seasons, it is best to start melons, especially watermelon, in peat pots and transplant them into the garden. Plant seeds or transplants in hills or rows. If you set plants out early in soil warmed with plastic, be prepared to protect them with hot caps, plastic tents or other season extenders.
Care
Melons are deep-rooted but need consistent moisture, especially early in their growth and during flowering and early fruiting. Avoid overhead irrigation late in the day to minimize foliar diseases. The amount of water needed lessens as the fruit ripens. Use mulch to retain moisture, control weeds and, in the case of dark mulches, warm soil. All melons respond well to the heat provided by black plastic mulch.
Major pests
Insects: Mites and striped cucumber beetle
Diseases: Bacterial wilt, Anthracnose, Phytopthora, gummy stem blight
Harvesting and storage
The best way to tell if a watermelon is ripe is to look at the tendril across from where the fruit is attached to the vine. If the tendril is dry and brown, the fruit is mature. Muskmelons are ready when the fruit pulls easily from the vine. However, honeydews are over-ripe at that point. All melons, except netted ones, should not be stored below 45°F. With proper storage, many varieties can last for two to four weeks.
Developed by James Manning, Undergraduate Research Assistant, and Daniel Brainard, Vegetable Extension Specialist; MSU Department of Horticulture; Gary Heilig, MSU Extension educator.
