Melon Shmelon

As much as I love to eat them, melons are my garden nemesis. After planting them for just over five years, this is the first summer where it seems I will be able to eat a watermelon from my yard, assuming critters don’t steal them. There are just two growing – one of which we only discovered three days ago. It was hiding beside the fence under a blackberry bush. The other has stopped growing, so I’m assuming it should be ripe soon. Considering we planted many seeds and have at least seven healthy vines growing, two watermelons is pretty low production.

I’m not sure what it is about my gardening style or soil, but melons are a struggle for us. Our neighbor has no trouble growing them. I try not to take it personally. After doing a little reading, I think my issues have boiled down to the fact that melons like heat, plenty of moisture and sunlight. Over the past several years, I’ve either planted them too early or have not provided enough water. Two summers ago, they had too much competition with pines trees.This year, I have them planted in the asparagus bed with a soaker hose.

The cantaloup vines are just now beginning to fruit. The seedlings stayed small for weeks before starting to gain any length. I have others under the tunnel that should probably be transplanted to a sunnier location. I love how furry they are at this stage.

Informative links:
How to Grow Watermelons
Growing Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons