A Guide to Growing Melons and Watermelons: Proven Techniques by Charles Dowding

Melon plants’ season of growth is short, but we can prolong it by early sowing under cover. Growth in summer is rapid, and I show you different varieties, plus a watermelon plant. At the end is a tasting! Don’t underestimate the need for warmth, otherwise you may spend a lot of time and effort for little result. At Homeacres I grow them mostly under cover for decent harvests. I rarely enjoy success with outdoor melons. My sowing dates here in 2022, were 31st March and 4th April. Emir F1, Minnesota Midget, Petit Gris de Rennes, Ogen - all Charentais type. See my online lesson about growing melons, which includes a seed to harvest video: 00:00 Introduction - melons on the hotbed 01:24 Potting on mid to late April 02:31 In the greenhouse 17th May, planting Early Moonbeam watermelon 04:12 Watering new planting 04:37 Planting with string in the hole, same method as for cucumber and tomato 08:05 More on watering after planting 08:55 Middle of June - a look at the melon plants 09:24 Twisting the top of the plant around the string, and what to do if the stem snaps 10:33 Comparing the two types of melon - Emir F1and a smaller-fruited Minnesota Midget 10:57 5 weeks later, mid-July - pinching out new growth, and regular watering 13:08 How to know when melons are ripe 13:32 The option of growing melons on the ground 13:50 Middle of August, three months since transplanting - a look at ripeness 16:00 Mildew on the leaves, why and does it matter? 17:12 Harvesting, and more on ripeness 19:25 Melons growing on the ground 21:13 Growth of plants outside - runner/pole beans, and French beans 21:51 A look at the watermelon in the greenhouse, transplanted in May, and how to tell if it’s ripe 24:22 Melon tasting. Different varieties Check out this video short from 2022 on growing and harvesting melons: And this one from 2020: Filmed through 2022 by Alessandro Vitale @SpicyMoustache and edited by him, with a Little help from Edward Dowding. You can join this channel by paying a monthly fee, to support our work with helping gardeners grow better, and to receive monthly videos made only for members: