Join our gardening family to receive the latest tips. JOIN ON SUBSTACK
After more than 30 years of growing melons in raised beds and mounded rows, I’ve found that vertical growing is one of the best ways to maximize space, improve airflow, and produce clean, healthy fruit—especially in smaller gardens. If you’re growing muskmelons or other summer melons, don’t feel limited to letting them sprawl. With a…
Over the years, I’ve learned that growing melons is as much about care during the season as it is about selecting the right variety or planting at the right time. Melons need consistent attention—from pollination to ripening—to deliver the flavor and size we all hope for. Here’s how I care for melons throughout the growing…
One of the most important—but often overlooked—aspects of growing melons is pollination. Without it, your plants will flower beautifully but fail to produce any fruit. After many seasons of growing muskmelons, watermelons, and specialty varieties, I’ve learned that understanding and even assisting the pollination process can dramatically improve yield and fruit quality. Here’s what every…
After three decades of growing melons—muskmelons, cantaloupes, and watermelons—in hot inland valleys and cooler coastal gardens, I’ve learned that nothing influences melon success more than soil warmth, drainage, and sun exposure. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to prepare your melon beds and choose the best garden location, based on both horticultural best…
fter more than 30 years of growing melons in warm and cool climates, I’ve learned that proper planting and spacing make all the difference in harvest success. Melons are heat-loving, sprawling plants—but if you start them at the right time, give them warmth, and space them right, they’ll reward you with sweet, juicy fruit. Here’s…
As a gardener with more than 30 years of experience growing warm-season crops, I’ve learned that timing is everything when it comes to planting melons. Whether you’re growing muskmelons, cantaloupes, or watermelons, getting your seeds or transplants into the ground at the right time will make the difference between sweet success and stunted, underwhelming fruit….
Subscribe today to get our weekly recipe newsletter! You don’t want to miss out!
