Basics

Ease of Growing
Moderate
Grown as
Annual
Days to Maturity
75-90 (Spring/Summer)
Growing Habit
Vine
Hardiness
Very Tender

Melons can't tolerate cold weather.

Crops
Spring Transplant, Summer
Growing Season
Long
Cultivar Type
-
Growing Conditions
Warm, Hot

Melons must have hot weather (ideally 90˚ F) if they are to make the sugar needed to produce sweet fruits. In cooler areas you need to give them as much sun and heat as possible. They should also be sheltered from cool winds.

If Melons don't get enough heat they won't taste very good (even if you do grow them successfully.)

Outdoor Growing Temp
65°F - 95°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp
70°F

Melons need warm weather, so don’t plant them until all danger of frost is past and the soil temperature is at least 70˚ F.

Start Indoors
Yes
Start Outdoors
Yes
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Warm, Hot)

Melons need full sun.

Water
Moderate

Melons are quite shallow rooted, so need fairly constant water. The best way to water them is with a drip system or soaker hose, as they don't like having wet leaves (this encourages fungus disease).

Feeder
Heavy

Melons are fairly hungry plants. They don't like a lot of nitrogen, but they do need plenty of phosphorus and potassium.

Suitability
High heat, Needs lots of space
Small Gardens?
No
Containers?
Yes, but will need a large one, like a half wine barrel

Though it's not ideal, the smaller cultivars can be grown in large containers (at least 18" deep and preferably bigger). This is sometimes done in cool climates, where the plants are grown in greenhouses.

Attracts beneficial insects?
No
Color
Yellow-green
Fruit Size
-"
Plant Height
12.0-18.0"
Plant Diameter
36.0-48.0"
Hardiness Zone
4-11
Disease Resistance
Taste Profile

Highly perfumed sweet flesh.