Melons

No matter what type of melons (watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, etc), they are sun and heat-loving plants. Make sure you have enough growing days (between frost dates) for the melons you want to grow.

Requirements

Poke a hole with your finger and directly plant 4-6 seeds in the soil after the frost date (check your frost dates here.) Space them 4′ apart. If your growing season is short, you can start the seeds indoor.

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Water

When establishing, use drip irrigation water melons deeply and infrequently, 1-2″ per week. As the fruits ripen, reduce water amount to improve flavor.

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Soil

Prefer sandy, well-drained and rich in organic soil. Mulch it to keep moisture. Preferably use dark mulch if your soil is cooler than 75°F. (Grass clipping or straw will cool the soil down.)
USU soil testing

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Fertilizer

Melons benefit from fertilizer after the vines develop runners or flower.

Plant with…

Basil, garlic, onions, oregano: repelling bugs
legumes (beans, peas…): nitrogen fixation
Borage: release potassium and calcium that melons need
Cilantro, dill: attract beneficial bugs

Don’t plant with…

Cucumber, squash, pumpkins: they attract the same bugs
Potatoes: attract aphids

Questions & Comments

Any questions? Or what’s your experience with planting this in Utah?