Favorite Melon varieties to grow?

[Sally PB]

I like the idea of using the lid of the container as the bottom of the planting pot so that you can simply remove it when it's time to transplant instead of trying to flip the plant out of the pot, therefore reducing the chance of damaging the plant's roots.

Yeah, that's the whole point. I don't have any trouble getting some melons, but I don't get a lot, usually. Even starting them inside, the season is just barely long enough.

I learned about transplant shock with melons one year when I bought starts. The roots had grown out through the drainage hole. It was one of those 6 unit plastic things. I had a very hard time getting the plants out; had to cut the plastic, bend it, etc. Planted the plants Memorial Day weekend. I don't think they grew at all until July. They just sat there. Then about the 4th, they woke up. We want to grow now! Well, it was too late, baby. I might have gotten one or two not-very-sweet melons that year.

 

[GardenBlooms22]

Even starting them inside, the season is just barely long enough.

You may want to try to grow the watermelon variety 'Bush Sugar Baby'. I haven't grown them before so don't have my own experience with them, but I've heard they are fast maturing. I have a few plants growing now, no flowers yet (I started them in mid to late July, which may actually be a bit too late).

I started most of my melons indoors in mid April.

So far I've successfully harvested 2-3 Blacktail Mountain watermelons (which are personal sized), and have at least one more ripening. They are very sweet and flavorful, I would definitely grow them again. The only thing is they have a ton of seeds, which I personally don't mind, but some people wouldn't like that. I have a nicely sized Orangeglo watermelon growing, so hopefully it will finish up OK. So far none of my medium/large varieties have ripened yet, but hopefully they will later this month.

 

[eng6trk]

I am in Zone 7 and have grown melons for years. All my melons I transplant and have never had a problem. I dont use peat pots but found something similar Cow Pots. I also use garden cloches and black garden cloth to warm up the air/ground. Charentais melons are by far my favorite.

 

[GardenBlooms22]

I am in Zone 7 and have grown melons for years. All my melons I transplant and have never had a problem. I dont use peat pots but found something similar Cow Pots. I also use garden cloches and black garden cloth to warm up the air/ground. Charentais melons are by far my favorite.

Thank you for sharing! I have seeds for the Charentais melon for next year.