melon spacing

Melons need room to roam. Space plants 36 to 42 inches apart. Or, to save space, plant melons 12 inches apart at the base of a trellis. When trellising melons, tie vines to the trellis daily, using soft plant ties that won't crush stems.

Can melons grow next to each other?

The foremost concern in planting both cantaloupe and watermelons in the same garden bed is space. The vines of both melons spread far and will grow wherever they can to access sunlight. Plants too close together cause unnecessary competition for light, soil moisture and nutrients.

What is the spacing for watermelon?

Watermelons prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 (“slightly acidic”). Growing the vines in raised rows, known as hills, ensures good drainage and will hold the sun's heat longer. Plan to space the plants about 2 feet apart in a 5-foot-wide hill. If you're growing in rows, space 6 feet by 6 feet apart.

How far apart do you plant watermelons and cantaloupes?

Plant melons at the base of the trellis, spaced 12 inches apart for cantaloupe or honeydew and 24 inches apart for watermelon.

How many melons do you get from one plant?

Melons are closely related to cucumbers and require similar growing conditions to thrive. 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.

Can cucumbers and melons grow together?

If you want to save seeds from open-pollinated or heirloom plants, rest assured that cucumbers, squash and melons cannot cross-pollinate with one another. ... However, one squash can breed with another of the same species; likewise melons with melons, and cucumbers with cucumbers.

What grows well with melons?

Melons are one of the most compatible plants in the garden and do well when planted with peas, pole beans, bush beans, onions, leeks, chives, and garlic. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, okra, spinach, sunflowers, lettuce, and Brussels sprouts also flourish in the companionship of melons.

What fertilizer is best for watermelons?

When fertilizing watermelon plants, use nitrogen based fertilizer at the onset. Once the plant begins flowering, however, switch to feeding the watermelon a phosphorus and potassium based fertilizer. Watermelons require ample potassium and phosphorus for optimal melon production.

How far apart do you plant honeydew melons?

Honeydew melons grow vines that require a lot of surface area in the garden. These plants grow best either on raised mounds (six inches tall, spaced four to six feet apart) or on trellises (spaced three to four feet apart).

Why is my watermelon plant not fruiting?

The pollen from the male flower needs to be moved, usually by bees, to the female bloom. If there is insufficient bee activity, not enough pollen will be delivered to properly fertilize the female flowers. The result will be either no fruit or malformed fruit.

What can I plant next to cantaloupe?

Cantaloupe, also known as muskmelon, thrives in the sunniest garden spot. They grow prolifically in well-enriched, sandy loam soil that is kept moist during the growing season. Companion plants for cantaloupe include corn, pumpkin, squash, collards, borage, oregano, radishes, marigolds, petunias and beans.

Can watermelon and cucumber be planted together?

Because other members of the Cucurbitae family are all attacked by cucumber beetles, planting watermelons next to these crops is not recommended: Cucumbers.

Will watermelons grow in clay soil?

Watermelons grow best on a sandy loam soil, although yields on clay soils can be increased significantly by mulching raised planting rows with black plastic film.

How many melons does a watermelon plant produce?

Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. The vines produce both male and female flowers.

How long after flowering do watermelons appear?

About Watermelon Varieties

Blooms will likely appear in four to six weeks if growing conditions are optimal.

How do you trellis melons?

Space plants 36 to 42 inches apart. Or, to save space, plant melons 12 inches apart at the base of a trellis. When trellising melons, tie vines to the trellis daily, using soft plant ties that won't crush stems. A trellis for cantaloupe should be large: up to 8 feet tall and 20 feet wide in warmest climates.

What can you not plant near melons?

For companion plants, you're going to want to plant it with things like radishes, lettuces & then avoid things like cucumber, zucchini, and basically anything in the melon family. Basically they make it difficult for the plants to grow and mature and can attract diseases.

Can you plant tomatoes and melons together?

Melons require plenty of space for their vining growth. ... 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. Plant these crops at the same time, and with the same considerations.

Is Cucamelon a hybrid?

Also known as a mouse melon, the Mexican sour gherkin, or by its Spanish name, sandiita (little watermelon), a cucamelon is the fruit of the Melothria scabra vine and is about the size of a grape. But despite the name, they're not actually a hybrid of watermelons and cucumbers. ... Think a cucumber and lime mashup.

What is the easiest melon to grow?

Watermelons tend to be the easiest melons to grow in organic gardens because of their pest and disease resistance. American cantaloupes, properly called muskmelons because of their fruity fragrance, produce 75 to 85 days after planting.

Where do Melons grow best?

For best performance, plant melons in hot, sunny locations with fertile, well drained soils. Plant melon seeds 1 week to 10 days before the last spring frost date. Watermelon and honeydew are more cold-sensitive than cantaloupe. Melons will not all ripen at the same time, so plan to pick them as they become ready.

How deep do melon roots grow?

Sow seed or set a transplant there. Watermelon roots commonly grow 8 to 10 or more inches deep; the hole and mound become a reservoir of moisture and nutrients.