Melons are some of the most popular fruits develop on the vine in the U.S. Many backyard garden feature melons as a favorite later summer and early gloam harvest goody . Interestingly , melon vine are in the same plant family as pumpkins , cucumber and crush . Although they wo n’t cross - pollinate , they are compatible with these familiar plants in terms of soil and water requirements . Here are 15 ways you’re able to increase your yields and melon size .
Tip 1: Know your melons and what they want.
There are a heap of melon available out there , but the most common in North America are watermelon , cantaloupe , and honeydew ( in that monastic order ) . Most watermelons are of the received sweet smorgasbord ( or a loan-blend of the same ) in either giant or stock size of it ( 12 lb or less ) . Most cantaloupes are either Ambrosia or French Orange Charentais . Ambrosia is the vulgar type you ’ll see in stores weighing about 4 Cypriot pound at around six inches in diameter while French ’s are about 1/3 the size and round or else of oblong . The differences between the melon vine character will determine their growth factor and required nutrient . Generally , the larger the melon , the longer the farm season .
Tip 2: Start your melon seedlings indoors.
Most melons postulate 65 level or higher soil temperature to spud , but the optimum is 70 - 90 degrees . So indoor germination of seeds is a must in most of the U.S. You ’ll get bigger ( earlier ) starter plant and they ’ll likely be tidy .
Tip 3: Transplant melons when ready, not before.
When you transpose your melons , the away temperature at night should be averaging 50 degrees or near to it . The plants should have at least two rather large leaves and should be season .
Tip 4: Removable row covers are useful for melons.
Using removable row covers allow you to cover the melon plant at night in the other season to keep them warmer . This belt along plant life development .
Tip 5: Use soil heating methods to increase melon size and yields.
The number one factor in great melon production from industrial plant is grease temperature . If the medium soil temperature in the morning ( 7 - 9am ) is 70 stage or good , professional nurseryman studies have show that melon yield will be 20 - 30 % gamy . inglorious plastic sheet over the soil around the melon plants to keep the soil warm works well .
Tip 6: Keep the soil perfect.
Your soil should drain well and have plenty of nutrient in it . Most melon vine favor a pH of 6.0 - 6.5 .
Tip 7: Cultivate soil very lightly or not at all.
melon vine source are reasonably in high spirits in the soil , so work should be done with uttermost charge so as not to damage those roots .
Tip 8: Water melons heavily and infrequently.
melon prefer deluge - style watering rather than intermittent watering more often . Water at 1 - 2 in weekly with a reference that ’s close to the ground ( drip , soaker , low - lying photoflood ) . employ mulches or the above - cite plastic sheeting to avail retain dirt moisture .
Tip 9: Know when pollination is ready and make it happen.
Without right pollination , melons will not grow . Be sure to have encouraged bee or other pollinator to be in the area at the correct time or hand pollinate yourself . Every melon vine type has a different need and timing for this , so jazz your melons ( # 1 above ) .
Tip 10: Weed melons well.
Keep the mourning band and vie plants at bay .
Tip 11: Control the melon plant’s energy usage.
Assuming fertilization is done right , most melon flora will assay to produce 2 - 3 melon per vine . A good gardener will pinch off melon vine buds that are too closelipped together and keep the number per vine low so the plants will pour all of its energy into few melon , producing larger fruits .
Tip 12: Bed the growing melons.
As the melons bring in size , “ bed ” them by redact mulch around and under the melons to keep them dry and off the soil . This encourages pear-shaped , beautiful melons and discourages unsightly soil “ spots ” and spoilage .
Tip 13: Harvest melons when ready, not before.
Each melon is different in its ontogeny time and indicators . break up the melon from the vine yourself , as if you wait for them to do so naturally , they will already be rot at bottom . Each melon vine will ripen on its own , so one industrial plant may produce harvests for two or three weeks .
Tip 14: Understand “slip” and why backyard melons are better.
“ Slip ” name to the fourth dimension the melon has reached full ripeness ( sugar production ) and is quick for harvest time . commercial-grade melon are normally harvested 1/2 to 3/4 slip ( betimes ) , which means they do not produce as much angelical sugar as do home grown .
Tip 15: Enjoy them with friends.
Keeping your melons all to yourself is not just selfish , but it ’s no fun . Have family and friends over to love them with you and divvy up the harvesting !
Want to learn more about growing melons?
see out these helpful resource from University Extension Services : Growing Melons in Minnesota Gardensby the University of Minnesota ExtensionGrowing Watermelonby the University of Illinois Extension
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