master point
Melons , with their sweet , juicy flesh , are asummer staple fibre . Whether you ’re craving cantaloupes , honeydews , or watermelon , produce your own melon is a rewarding experience that can provide you with abountiful harvest . This comprehensive guide will turn over into the intricacy of how togrow melons rapidly , ensuring you savor the sweet fruits of your labor in no time .
1. Choosing the Right Variety
The first step is to select amelon varietythat is well - suited to your mood and mature conditions . Cantaloupes and honeydews fly high in warm , sunny climate , while watermelon can tolerate slightly cool temperature . Consider the size of it and shape of the melons you prefer , as well as their ripening clip .
2. Preparing the Soil
Melons require well - drained , fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 . improve the ground with plenty oforganic matter , such as compost or manure , to improve its complex body part and fertility . Raised beds are an excellent option formelon finish , as they bring home the bacon good drainage and warm soil temperatures .
3. Planting the Seeds
jump melon seeds indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last freeze appointment . Sow the seminal fluid 1/2 in deep in a seeded player - start mix , and keep them warm and moist . Once the seedlings have developed their first set oftrue leaves , they can be transplanted outside .
4. Transplanting the Seedlings
When thesoil temperaturehas reached at least 65 ° F ( 18 ° cytosine ) , graft themelon seedlingsinto the fain land . quad the plants 2 - 3 feet aside , and bury them up to the first set of true farewell . Water theplants deeplyafter transplanting .
5. Watering and Fertilizing
Melons have a high water necessity , especially duringfruit exploitation . Water theplants regularly , specially during hot , dry weather . Fertilize the plants every 2 - 3 workweek with a balanced plant food .
6. Support and Trellising
Melons farm heavy fruit that can weigh down the vines . Toprevent damage , provide supportby trellising the industrial plant . This can be done using stakes , cage , or treillage .
7. Pollination
Melons postulate pollenation to produce fruit . If you are notgrowing melonsnear other compatible diverseness , you will necessitate to hand - pollinate the flowers . utilise a easygoing brushing totransfer pollenfrom the virile flowers ( which have a longsighted , fragile fore ) to the female flower ( which have a short , thick stem turn ) .
8. Thinning the Fruit
Once the melon have congeal fruit , it is important to thin them out to insure that theplants bring about larger , gratifying melons . take away any misshapen ordamaged yield , and space the stay melon 6 - 12 inches apart .
9. Harvesting
melon are advanced when they have a sweet aroma and aslight givewhengently pressed . The rind should also have a dull , not shiny , appearance . Cut the melons from the vine with asharp knife , leaving a short stem bond .
10. Storage
Store ripe melons in a cool , teetotal placefor up to 2 week . Unripe melons can be stored atroom temperaturefor several days until they ripen .
Wrapping Up
grow melon vine quickly take a combination of right variety choice , soil preparation , coherent lacrimation , fertilization , keep , pollenation , yield cutting , and timely harvest . By following these guidelines , you could enjoy a bountiful harvest of sweet-smelling , delicious melons in your own backyard .
What You Need to Learn
1 . How often should I water melon plants?Water melon plant profoundly and on a regular basis , especially during hot , dry atmospheric condition . Aim for about 1 inch of weewee per week.2 . How do I know when melons are ripe?Melons are good when they have asweet aroma , aslight givewhen mildly press , and a dumb rind.3 . Why are mymelon plantsnot producing fruit?Melons require pollination toproduce fruit . If your plants are not producing yield , it is probable due to a deficiency of pollination . hired man - pollenate the bloom using a subdued brush.4 . What is the expert way to store melons?Store ripe melon in a nerveless , dry placefor up to 2 weeks . Unripe melon can be store atroom temperaturefor several days until they ripen.5 . Can Igrow melonsin containers?Yes , melon can be maturate in containers . Choose a container that is at least 12inches wideand deep , andprovide plentyof support for the vine .