Maybe your familiar with the fact there’s nothing like the mouth watering taste of fresh cantaloupe and melons grown from your garden. Well if you want to grow some of the best cantaloupe melons from your garden consider a few factors that ensure the melon is sweet.
While there are smaller cantaloupe melon variations that can be grown in a container, standard melons require room. First and foremost make sure to map out sufficient room in your garden specifically for your melons crop. Melons cultivation requires large growing area of up to 40 sq feet depending on the size of your crop. If there’s sufficient room to grow full size melons, great, however you may want to reduce the space available depending on crop size.
If you want to scale down the size of space required for growing melons, consider growing dwarf melons instead of full size melons. While growing dwarf melons will still require spacing it will be less space required than standard cantaloupes’. An alternative method to growing melons and saving space is by using some support or trellis. This is a common support method that will support the fruit individually, try using old nylon stockings to support melons as they ripen.
When planting melons, start by directly adding the seeds to the garden, planning each seeds at least ½ to 1 inch in depth. Create a planting hill for each seed spaced apart around 4 to 6 feet. The spacing depends on the type of melons. The best time to plant melons is after the last frost, and should be when the climate is warm. It will take up to three months or more to mature during the summer.
Make sure the melons are properly fertilized is very important. Try using a slow release fertile when planting the seeds. Then follow up by fertilizing the melons monthly or as needed. Make sure however the fertilizer is light on nitrogen since this will promote leaf growth more than fruit production.
Watering the melon garden is quite simple. Just as all gardens require at least one inch of water per week during the gestation period. Remember not to over water the melons however as this will dilute the sweetness of the fruit. For this reason watering every other week during the ripening period is recommended. Stop watering however once you begin harvesting the melons.
The best way to determine the right time to harvest the melons is by the stem. When the melon is ripe the stem can be easily detached from the fruit. Frequently check and try to harvest the melons as soon as possible since the sweet aroma will draw the attention of birds and bugs. Complete the ripening process in a cool place indoors.
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About Me: David is a highly experienced UK based Landscaper Gardener, with over 14 years creating beautiful gardens David knows a thing or two about gardens!
Homepage: http://www.addingtons.net
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