did you know?

The ancestor of all melons (except watermelons) grew in ancient Persia and India. Originally the size of an orange and not very sweet, the plant underwent careful selection by generations of gardeners to arrive at today's diversity.

general maintenance:

In cool areas, use row covers to keep young plants warm. Remove them when the flowers appear to allow pollination. Use black plastic mulch to preserve moisture, deter weeds, and provide the extra few degrees of heat that melons like. Remove plants after frost.

pests/diseases:

Cucumber beetles, aphids, flea beetles and anthracnose may occur.

controls:

Use floating row covers to protect young plants from pests; handpick cucumber beetles immediately, as they can carry bacterial wilt. To discourage anthracnose, space plants for proper air circulation, and avoid wetting leaves when watering. Pick off diseased leaves where practical, and remove severely infected plants.

how to sow/plant:

Start indoors in peat pots, 1/2 inch deep, 3?4 weeks before danger of frost has passed. Or direct sow, in warm areas, 2 weeks after last frost. Sow 6 seeds in hills 4?6 feet apart or 12 inches apart in rows 4 feet apart. Thin plants to 3 per hill or 18?24 inches apart.

water and fertilize:

Maintain soil moisture all season, making sure plants receive at least 1 inch of water per week until fruit is tennis ball-size, then reduce watering.

garden hint:

Set developing fruits on a tile or board to prevent flat, rotten spots.

features:

• Disease Resistant

garden uses:

other uses:

• Culinary/Edible