where do melons grow

The melon plant is native to central Asia, and its many cultivated varieties are widely grown in warm regions around the world. Most commercially important melons are sweet and eaten fresh, though some varieties can be made into preserves or pickled.

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.

Do melons grow on the ground?

They are a tender annual, suited to growing in containers or growbags. Melon are a vigorous climber – leave them to sprawl on the ground or provide a strong frame as a support and net the fruits to support them.

Can you grow melons in the UK?

Melons are tender plants, so need a warm, sunny spot with high humidity. In the UK it is best to grow in a glasshouse, polytunnel or under a cloche or in a coldframe. Melons need a rich, fertile, moisture retentive, deep and well-drained soil.

Where are melons grown in the US?

Ideal growing conditions for melons include a long, warm frost-free season. Thus, the primary commercial producers of all U.S. melons are found in the southern portion of the country including California, Arizona, Texas, Georgia and Florida.

How many melons will one plant produce?

Don't Crowd Your Melons

Thin the fruit to three melons per vine, as this will result in more nutrients (and thus sugars) pumped into each melon.

Are melons hard to grow?

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 melons grow on trellis?

Melons need room to roam. ... 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.

Are melons good for you?

Melons are low in sodium, and very low in saturated fat and cholesterol. They are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin K, potassium, and copper, and a very good source of vitamin C and vitamin B6.

Can you grow melons in pots?

While you can grow full-size melons in containers, you'll get the best results with dwarf cultivars that produce smaller fruits and shorter vines.

Do you turn watermelons as they grow?

If vines aren't strong when temperatures are at their highest during the harvest season, they aren't able to protect the watermelon fruit from being exposed, which leads to sunburn damage. Coolong stresses that the best way to protect vines is to turn them back in drive rows.

How long does it take for a watermelon to grow to full size?

The time it takes for a watermelon to mature can be anywhere from 65 to 90 days after planting. Once the fruit sets to tiny marble-sized melons, it only takes up to 45 days for those tiny melons to develop into watermelons 10 pounds in size or more.

Where is most watermelon grown?

While watermelons are grown across the U.S., most production occurs in the top four states (Texas, Florida, Georgia and California), producing approximately 69 percent of all grown in the U.S. The average watermelon yield per acre in the U.S in 2014 was 31,800 pounds.

Which is better cantaloupe or honeydew?

Honeydew is a slightly sweeter and firmer melon than cantaloupe, and features light green flesh, while cantaloupe has orange-colored, softer flesh. Healthline notes cantaloupe may be the slightly more nutritious choice, due to the melon's higher levels of vitamin C and vitamin A compared to honeydew.

What country grows the most cantaloupe?

China is by far the largest producer of cantaloupes worldwide. However, melons are grown in many temperate countries around the world, including the U.S., which is the 5th largest global producer.

What state grows the best watermelon?

Florida has historically been the top producer of watermelons and accounted for 19 percent of the 3.9 billion pounds of U.S. watermelon production in 2012. Florida and three other States--Georgia, California, and Texas--accounted for two-thirds of U.S. output in 2012.

Do watermelon plants come back every year?

Planting a few watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) vines in your garden lets you grow your own desserts or sweet snacks. This member of the Cucurbitaceae family is related to squash and pumpkins. As a tender annual, watermelon vines will not last through winter conditions and will require re-planting each spring.

How do you increase watermelon fruit size?

To maximize the size of the melons, water the plants at the base in regular, deep-watering sessions that keep the soil moist. Side dress the watermelon plants with fertilizer designed for edible crops or compost tea to feed the plants. The fertilizer encourages growth to get larger melons.

Do watermelons need lots of water?

How to Grow Watermelons. Watering is very important—from planting until fruit begins to form. While melon plants are growing, blooming, and setting fruit, they need 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Keep soil moist, but not waterlogged.

How long does it take melons to grow?

Melons typically require about 100 days from planting to harvest, though some varieties have shorter growing times. You can plant several varieties in your garden, as long as you have the room for these large, sprawling vines.

Should I prune my melon plants?

As mentioned, pruning cantaloupe plants isn't absolutely necessary and, in fact, the more leaves that remain on the vine the sweeter the fruit. That said, cutting back cantaloupe plants results in fewer fruit which enables the plant to put all of its energy into a scant few, resulting in larger melons.

How much space do watermelon plants need?

General guidelines for common varieties of watermelon are to plant three seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm.) deep in hills that are spaced 4 feet (1.2 m.) apart, and allowing 6 feet (1.8 m.) between rows.