Honeydew Melon Plant
There are many different varieties of melons to grow in the UK and the rest of the world in the garden and allotments. Some of the popular varieties of melon plants to grow are Cantaloupe, Alvaro, Watermelon plus lots more. The most popular varieties to grow are Honeydew melon plants. The honeydew melon plant is very easy to grow and in this article, we will explain how to grow them so you get a great crop of melons
One of the main reasons why honeydew melons are easy to grow is because they have the perfect temperature here in the UK to produce the best crops from the plants. Many gardeners still to the honeydew melons when trying to grow this delicious fruit.
In this article, we will be explaining how to grow Honeydew Melon plants, tips for growing them successfully, how to care for them plus lots more.
Introduction:
Embarking on the journey of growing honeydew melons offers not just the promise of succulent, sweet delights but also a rewarding experience for any avid gardener. The honeydew melon, known for its luscious and refreshing taste, can be a delightful addition to your garden if cultivated with care and precision. This guide is your key to unlocking the secrets of successful honeydew melon cultivation, providing insights into the art of planting, nurturing, and harvesting these delectable fruits. Whether you are a seasoned gardener seeking to enhance your melon-growing expertise or a beginner eager to sow the seeds of a fruitful harvest, join us as we explore the step-by-step process of growing honeydew melon plants and turn your garden into a haven of sweet, homegrown abundance.
Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book
Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-
You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.
Honeydew Melon Plant History
Honeydew melons did not reach Europe till the 15th Century. The exact origin of the honeydew melon is unknown however they were grown in the Middle East and were known to be a sacred fruit for the Egyptians.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Honeydew Melons
The health benefits of the Honeydew melon are that it provides vital nutrients to help with bone health, and they are rich in nutrients. They may also help to reduce blood pressure and may enhance healthy skin.
How To Grow Honeydew Melon Plants
When you are growing Honeydew Melon Plants it is always good to know where you actually want to plant your plants. whether it be in the ground outside or if you are going to grow them in a greenhouse/polytunnel. Some varieties of melons can be grown outside easily enough. Honeydew melons can be grown outside in the UK however to get the best crop from your melon plants it is better to grow them in a greenhouse or polytunnel as there is a lot more warmth and the temperatures that they are used to. In this guide, we will give you a step by step instructions on how to grow your honeydew melon plant to get some amazing melons. We will provide tips right from planting the honeydew melon seeds right through to harvesting your melons.
When To Sow, Plant, And Harvest Honeydew Melon Plants
Here is an easy table to show you the dates you need for your melons. This chart is for the UK – remember that this is a guide and will all depend on the weather and how warm it is.
| Sow | Mid-April |
| Plant | May – June |
| Harvest | July to October |
Best Place To Grow Honeydew Melon Plant
When you are choosing the right spot to grow your honeydew melon plants you need to grow them in a polytunnel or a greenhouse. This is because you will get better harvests from your crops, a lot better than growing them outside. When deciding on how many melon plants you want to grow heavily decide on the amount of space that you have in your greenhouse of the polytunnel. Melon plants grow like cucumber plants they will trail and are best grown vertically rather than along the ground where they can get eaten by rodents.
If you have not got a greenhouse or a polytunnel it is vital that you grow them in a sunny spot but ideally sheltered. This would be ideal against a wall or a fence.
The Best Soil To Grow Your Honeydew Melon Plant
If you are thinking about the best soil to grow your Honeydew melon plants in it would be in either compost or a grow bag. A grow bag and compost it will have nutrients within the compost however they will need extra nutrients added after a couple of months to keep them growing healthy. If growing in a grow bag you will be able to fit around 3 plants in the bag. You can also grow them in tubs of compost however make sure that the tub has holes in the bottom as you won’t want them getting waterlogged.
How To Sow Honeydew Melon Seeds
Honeydew melon seed sowing is a very easy process that and level of a gardener can do. You can even get the children involved in sowing seeds. They are small but they are of a decent size to sow individually.
First, you need a seed tray with a layer of compost. Sprinkle the melon seeds evenly across the top of the compost then cover with another layer of compost. Sprinkle the compost with water – do not overwater the melon seeds. If it is still cold in your greenhouse you can cover the seed tray with a layer of cling film. This will keep the soil warm and moist and help germination. If you have not got a seed tray you can sow them individually in pots.
Planting Your Honeydew Melon Plants
It will take around 7 – 14 days for your honeydew melon seeds to germinate. Leave the plants until they get quite big in the seed tray – around 6cm tall. Once they are big enough to handle you can pot them on into plant pots to grow and develop further – you only need plant pots that are around 8cm. Keep watering the melon plants on a regular basis and keep them in a sunny position in the greenhouse. Always pot up more melon plants than you actually need just in case any die – you can always give friends and family spare melon plants.
When your honeydew melon plants reach around 12cm you can now pot them up into their final growing position whether this is in a grow bag or in pots. The best type of pots to grow them in is the old flower buckets that you can get from the supermarkets. Just remember to put the holes in the bottom so they do not get waterlogged.
Looking After Your Honeydew Melon Plants
Growing a honeydew melon plant requires a lot of love and attention. so that you will get great crops from your melon plants.
The main job of growing honeydew melons is that they will require watering on a regular basis. If you are growing your melon plants in the greenhouse or polytunnel they will dry out a lot faster so will probably need watering every 1-2 days depending on how hot it is. If the weather is extremely hot be careful when watering them so that you don’t scorch the leaves on the plants.
When growing melon plants grow them vertically as the fruit is better off the ground as this will stop them from being nibbled at or eaten. Grow your melon plants up some netting. The melon plant sends out tendrils like cucumbers that wrap around things to cling on with.
When the flowers start to appear on the melon plants make sure that you leave the door to your greenhouse open so bees can help pollinate them. You can always give a helping hand by hand pollinating with a paintbrush.
If you notice any yellow leaves growing on the plant these can be cut off just in case they are diseased.
How To Feed Honeydew Melon Plants
Honeydew melons will need feeding especially when they start to show their flowers. Feeding your honeydew melon plant will help boost the crops that it produces. The best thing that you can feed your melon plants is Tomato Feed which includes feeding them Tomerite. Feed your melon plants once a week but when the flowers start to appear on the plant feed them at least twice a week to get the best melon crop.
Here you can find Tomorite available to purchase on Amazon:-
Harvesting Honeydew Melon Plants
The best part of growing your Honeydew melons is harvesting your delicious fruits from the plants. The melons taste absolutely delicious and especially when they are harvested fresh. As you cannot see inside the melon it is hard to know when is the correct time to harvest your melons. The best way to know that your honeydew melons are harvest-ready is that the fruit will actually start sending out a strong melon smell. Once you can smell the melon smell it is time to harvest and eat your delicious fruit.
Honeydew Melon Plant Pests and Diseases
As with most melons, Honeydew melon plants are still prone to be affected by pests and diseases. These include:-
Honeydew Melon Plant Pests:-
The pests which are common to affecting honeydew melons are:-
- Aphids
- Slugs
- Snails
All bugs can be prevented from attacking your crops.
Honeydew Melon Plant Diseases:-
- Cucumber Mosaic Virus.
- Squash Anthracnose.
- Downy Mildew.
- Powdery Mildew.
Purchase Honeydew Melon Plant and Seeds
Here you can purchase your Honeydew Melon seeds plants through our website. The links will take you to Amazon so you know it is safe to purchase.
Seeds:- The link below you can purchase Honeydew Melon seeds these are the best ones worth growing where you will have great success.
Plants:- Here you can purchase Honeydew Melon Plants that are already growing so it saves you the hassle of sowing the seeds:-
Honeydew Melon Plant Questions
Here we answer some of those Honeydew Melon questions that you may have.
How Many Honeydew Melons Per Plant?
You could get up to 4-5 honeydew melons per plant possibly more as long as you pick them straight away once they are ready.
When to harvest Honeydew Melons
Make sure you harvest honeydew melons as soon as they start sending out a strong melon smell.
Can you grow honeydew melons in pots?
Honeydew melons can be grown in pots, if anything pots are perfect for growing your melons. Just make sure they have holes in the bottom for drainage and feed on a regular basis with tomerite.
Conclusion
Conclusion:
As we conclude our journey into the world of honeydew melon cultivation, it’s evident that growing these succulent fruits is not just an agricultural endeavor but a gratifying experience that bears the sweet fruits of your labor. The process of nurturing honeydew melon plants, from tiny seeds to bountiful harvest, is a testament to the resilience of nature and the gardener’s dedication.
Armed with the knowledge of optimal planting, care, and harvesting techniques, you are now equipped to transform your garden into a haven of homegrown sweetness. Whether you’re envisioning refreshing summer salads, flavorful desserts, or simply enjoying the pure pleasure of biting into a juicy slice, your cultivated honeydew melons are a testament to your green-thumb prowess.
So, let your garden flourish with the essence of homegrown sweetness, and may the journey of growing honeydew melons continue to be a source of joy, satisfaction, and delicious moments for you and those fortunate enough to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Happy cultivating!
You will now know how to grow a Honeydew Melon Plant to get the best harvest of melons. Do you want to know how to freeze melons if you have grown too many? Find out here.