Melon Seeds

Cucumis melo

Melon growing tips:

• Start melon seeds indoors in seedling trays or small seedling pots in seed starting soil that has essential nutrients in it 3-4 weeks prior to last frost.
• Cover the seeds with soil and keep the soil moist for quick germination.
• Make sure to keep the young seedlings under good light to have strong plants with sturdy, healthy stems and leaves.
• Transplant melon seedlings to garden or a pot with ample space for roots to spread after last frost in fertile soil.
• Feed with liquid fertilizer once every two weeks.
• Water regularly especially in flower stage. Reduce water when the fruits are maturing to improve flavor and sugar content. Mulch and always water at plant base to minimize disease.
• If the fruits are small, you can trellis melon plants to decrease disease pressure and improve air circulation.
• Melon thrives in hot and dry climate and does best in sandy soil with good drainage.
• Alternatively, to start melon seedlings, you can direct seed in ground after last frost. Note that it is possible for seeds to rot when they are direct-seeded if the soil is cool and moist before they can sprout so make sure the soil temperature is over 70F.