Melon Seeds

West Coast Seeds, Melon Seeds - Additional Information

How to Grow Melons

Planting Schedule:
Begin your melon journey by starting seeds indoors or in a greenhouse 4-6 weeks post the last frost, ensuring a head start on the growing season.

Transplant these young plants into your garden when they are about 5 weeks old. For optimal germination, aim for a soil temperature of 20-25°C (68-77°F), with seeds sprouting within 5-10 days.


Seed Starting:
Plant seeds at a depth of 1cm (½”). Once they've grown into transplants, space them 60-90cm (24-36") apart in rows that are 1.5-2m (5-6') apart to give them ample room to flourish.


Growing:
Melons thrive in soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. Select a sunny spot with well-draining soil, enriching it with dolomite lime, compost, well-rotted manure, and ½-1 cup of balanced organic fertilizer for each plant. Utilizing black plastic mulch, cloches, or floating row covers can enhance warmth and expedite growth.

Raised beds can also be beneficial. Melons demand 8-10 weeks of warm weather to progress through their growth stages, from leaf development to fruit ripening. Consistent watering throughout the season is crucial for juicy, flavorful fruits.


Harvesting:
Expect fruit to mature by late August to early September. Cantaloupes are ready when they detach from the vine with a gentle nudge. Watermelons indicate ripeness when the nearest tendril to the fruit dries and turns brown.

Unlike some fruits, melons do not continue to ripen once picked, so timing your harvest is key to enjoying the sweet, full flavours of homegrown melons.

Melon Pests & Diseases

Powdery Mildew:
A fungal disease that appears as white, powdery spots on leaves and stems.

Ensure good air circulation around plants and water at the base to keep foliage dry. Choose resistant varieties when possible.

Treat affected plants with organic fungicides like neem oil or sulfur-based products. Removing heavily infected leaves can also help control the spread.


Cucumber Beetles:
Small, yellow-green beetles that feed on melon leaves, flowers, and fruit.

Use floating row covers to protect plants, especially young seedlings. Plant trap crops like radish to lure them away from melons.

Handpick beetles if possible. Apply organic pesticides like pyrethrin carefully, following label instructions to minimize harm to beneficial insects.


Fusarium Wilt:
Fusarium Wilt is a soil-borne fungus that causes yellowing, wilting, and death of plants.

Practice crop rotation to reduce soil pathogen levels. Choose resistant melon varieties.

Infected plants should be removed and destroyed immediately to prevent spread. Avoid planting melons in the affected area for several years.


Melon Aphids:
Specific to melon plants, these aphids can rapidly colonize and weaken plants.

Regularly inspect plants and use reflective mulch to deter aphids.

Use natural predators or organic insecticides for general aphids. Ensure to cover all parts of the plant, as melon aphids can hide in crevices.


Root-Knot Nematodes
Microscopic worms attack roots, causing galls and reduced vigour.

Solarize soil before planting by covering it with clear plastic during hot weather to kill nematodes—plant marigolds as a natural deterrent.

Once nematodes infest a plant, control is difficult. To avoid issues, focus on prevention and soil health.