Comes with 8 seeds to be direct seeded or started ahead indoors or in a greenhouse.
76 days to ripening after transplanting
Melons are very easy to grow but can take up a lot of space in the garden. They should not be grown in containers unless you allow room for sprawling on a trellis or fence. Planting time for melons is based upon when your soil will be warmer than 60 degrees and air temperatures are 65 to 70 degrees. Warm, dry weather is best for these plants. Melons can be direct seeded into the garden after the soil is warm or plant them in containers 6 weeks before your last frost date.
Melons are large sprawling plants that take up a lot of room in the garden. Allow at least 3 feet diameter per plant or plant in rows that are that wide and space plants about 2 1/2 feet apart.
Sometimes, if the weather is very moist and cool, you may see some white powdery substance on the leaves of the plant. This is called Powdery Mildew which is a fungus. While it is not good for the overall health of the plant, there is very little that you can do except wait for warm sunny weather. The good news is that it is not likely to damage the fruit. Always water low to the ground and never use sprinklers to water your vegetable garden.
Melons require heat to produce sweet fruits so using black plastic mulch on top of the soil can help speed up warmer soil conditions. Their roots will grow to a depth of 3-feet if the soil is good, so water slowly and deeply. Leaves often wilt in the middle of the day during hot spells, but check the soil for moisture below the surface. Pick fruits when the leaf which is attached to the vine nearest the fruit turns yellow. Chill fruit immediately after harvest, watermelons can be stored at warmer temperatures for a short period of time.
