How to Grow Melon
Cucumis melo
Melons need warmth, long sunny days, and rich fertile soil to develop their characteristic sweetness. In cool climates a greenhouse or polytunnel is essential. Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before the last frost, transplant into warm soil, and feed weekly with a high-potash fertiliser once fruits set. Reducing water as fruits ripen concentrates sugars and prevents splitting.
When to Start
Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 12°C and soil has warmed to at least 16°C.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- High-potash liquid feed weekly once fruits start swelling. Reduce watering as fruits approach maturity to concentrate sweetness.
- In cool climates, melons need a long warm growing season to develop full sweetness — a greenhouse or polytunnel dramatically improves results. Reduce watering as fruits ripen to concentrate sugars and prevent splitting.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 16°C+
- Germination temperature
- 21–30°C
Pet Safety
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 90 cm |
| Row spacing | 150 cm |
| Sow depth | 2 cm |
| Mature height | 30 cm |
| Mature spread | 150 cm |
Melons are sprawling vines. In cooler climates, grow under cover or in a greenhouse for best results. Compact varieties suit containers with a trellis.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of small soft-bodied insects on shoot tips and leaf undersides, sticky honeydew, curled or distorted new growth.
- Strong water spray to dislodge colonies
- Introduce ladybirds or lacewing larvae
- Neem oil spray
- Insecticidal soap
- Approved systemic aphicide
Pest Cucumber Beetles
Identification: Small yellow-green beetles with black spots or stripes feeding on leaves, flowers and fruit rind. Larvae attack roots.
- Row covers until flowering
- Hand-pick adults
- Kaolin clay spray
- Pyrethrin-based insecticide
- Approved contact insecticide
Pest Whitefly
Identification: Tiny white-winged insects on leaf undersides that fly up when disturbed. Cause yellowing, sticky honeydew and sooty mould.
- Yellow sticky traps
- Biological control (Encarsia formosa)
- Neem oil spray
- Insecticidal soap
- Approved systemic insecticide
Disease Fusarium Wilt Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis
Symptoms: Wilting of individual vines starting from the base, yellowing leaves, brown discolouration inside stems when cut.
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected plants. No chemical cure once established. Solarise soil before replanting.
Prevention: Use resistant varieties, practise 5-year crop rotation, avoid overwatering, use grafted rootstock.
Disease Powdery Mildew Podosphaera xanthii
Symptoms: White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, leaves yellow and dry out, reduced fruit sweetness and quality.
Treatment: Remove badly affected leaves. Apply sulphur-based or potassium bicarbonate fungicide.
Prevention: Choose resistant varieties, ensure good spacing and air circulation, avoid overhead watering.
Disease Downy Mildew Pseudoperonospora cubensis
Symptoms: Angular yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with greyish-purple fuzzy growth underneath. Leaves brown and die rapidly.
Treatment: Remove affected leaves promptly. Apply approved copper-based fungicide preventively.
Prevention: Ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, grow under cover in cool climates, choose resistant varieties.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 16°C |
| Germination temperature | 21–30°C |
| Base growth temperature | 12°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 11h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Melon?
- Plant Melon 90cm apart with 150cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Melon?
- Melon is ready to harvest approximately 75 days after transplanting.
- Is Melon frost hardy?
- Melon is classified as Tender.
