Melon growing questions

[jen74145]

So, the bite in the air today has me thinking of next year's garden. We want to try a small roadside stand next year, and from talking with other gardeners, tomatoes and melons are the main way to go. I want to try a few different types of melons, thinking a yellowmeat large watermelon and a small red icebox sized, charentais, cantaloupe and honeydew. Now, I have never grown melons before, so how much room do I allow for the vines? Is it possible to trellis those that produce very large fruit, or would I do better to allow them sprawling room?

Also, what kind of yield would I be looking at per plant? Do I leave just one melon per plant, or let as many mature as will set? Also, would I get more melons from a plant that produces smaller fruit?

[james dilley]

All I can say is you NEED Honey bees to pollinate the blooms. A decent fertility in the soil and plenty of WATER!!!

[Stephen in SOKY]

Check out Baker Creek Seed, you'll get some answers from their site. I plant every three-four feet in six feet wide rows, but that's in part for mechanization. They fill in every single inch with multiple melons per vine. Deer are a true bane on my existance where melons are concerned.

[MoonShine]

I make the hills about 6 foot apart,4 seeds or plantlings per hill. This year we raised those Crimson Sweet watermelons and I can't say enough about them. They were fantastic.
Your yield would depend on the water situation I would think..

[turtlehead]

I grew melons for the first time this year. I planted about 3 feet apart in a 4' wide bed and they covered that and took over the walkway and the next bed. We had a terrible water situation (dry dry dry) and I got about 1 watermelon per vine and 2 muskmelons per vine. Would have gotten more but the vines died.

I have read that you can trellis melons (muskmelons, not watermelon) but that you will need to make a "sling" to support the fruit. I don't know anyone who has done this, though.

[rocket]

I've always grown melons on a trellis and never needed a sling for the fruit. Of course, I was never growing any of the larger melon varieties. But I would say that the average cantaloupe or honeydew doesn't need a sling.

Also, I think the spacing recommendations above are great for watermelon, but you could plant closer for other melons, especially if they're on a trellis.

[jen74145]

Thank you all; somehow I had entirely missed baker creek's information! Now I'm thinking of giving them the maximum space recommended *just in case* since I can always tuck a few different things in if I find I have enough space. Many thanks!

[Stephen in SOKY]

I had wonderful germination & excellent production from over an acre of Baker Creek melon seeds alone this year. Check out their Moon & Stars watermelon. Their pumpkins & winter squash (2 acres here) performed equally as well.

[james dilley]

My vines are just starting to run, Won't be ANY blooms for A few weeks yet, Getting ready to plant some more this weekend!