By Ian Peterson

What are some tips and tricks for raising high-quality watermelon and muskmelon?

Nothing says summer like fresh melon, and nothing says “Mmm, good” like fresh melon grown at home. Between watermelons and muskmelons, two different species of plants in the cucurbit family, there are many options for size, shape, color and flavor to pick from these days.

Pick your plants. Whatever melon you are growing, the approach and management strategies are largely the same. They are warm-season crops, so you need to wait until the soil temperature is above 65 degrees F before they go in the ground. With anywhere from 70-80 days to maturity, starting seed indoors will go a long way to giving you melons for the heart of fair season and back-to-school cookouts. Start seeds three to four weeks before the last frost in a six-pack to give the roots plenty of space and decrease transplant shock when going into the ground. Don’t forget to harden them off before putting them outside.

Prep your plot. Here at the Nebraska Extension, we encourage soil testing before amending so that you have a complete picture of your starting point and whether additional nutrients are needed. Melons prefer a well-drained soil with a pH in the 6-7 range. Incorporating mature compost into the space you will be planting will help the overall soil profile and add a good baseline of nutrients. While growing, the plants should be watered regularly, but once the fruit starts to ripen (full size, changing color), only water if the plant starts showing signs of stress. Plan for three or four fruits per vine for a good-sized melon, and learn about your specific variety to know how to tell when it’s ready for harvest.

Related:Tips for watering your garden, fruit trees

Protect your patch. Being in the same family as cucumbers and squash, melons are susceptible to the same insect and disease pressures. Cucumber beetles cause damage and can spread bacterial wilt; squash vine borers lay eggs in stems, and the larvae can destroy a beautiful vine overnight. Diligent scouting can prevent an outbreak, or row covers can exclude them — just be sure to remove the covers once they are blooming in order to allow for pollination.

Space plants, use mulch and avoid overhead watering to prevent the onset and spread of bacterial and fungal diseases. Keep new plants and the area free of weeds with mulch and hand-pulling to reduce competition and habitat for insects and disease.

Consider trellising vertically to reduce disease pressure and to free up space for interplanting. Support fruits as needed with soft fabric made into a sling.

Peterson is an assistant Nebraska Extension educator based in Fremont.

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