Do you also find winter melons to be the most fun crops to grow? They can weigh up to 40 pounds! Winter melons resemble a large watermelon, but the taste is more like a cucumber.
These crops are one of the healthiest fruits, rich in vitamin C and containing high levels of potassium! I love growing all veggies and fruits that can boost health, especially if I can harvest them in fall to have lots of stored crops over the winter months!
Once I found out about winter melons, I immediately wanted to try growing them. But before taking the first steps, I wanted to be sure that I knew everything about growing them. So I started searching for the best tips and tricks that I could use, and I think I’ve finally solved it!
I discovered methods that turned out to be fantastic and brought me my very first good winter melon harvest. Now you don’t have to be a professional to grow them! All you need to do is follow these steps I’m about to show you.
But first, let me introduce you to the best planting method that you are going to love (because it’s so easy)!
There Are Two Ways You Can Use To Sow Seeds Successfully
How and when you should plant winter melons depends on the area where you live. If you live in the tropics, you can plant winter melons all year round, but for the best results, start in early spring.
All you need to do is sow them directly into the soil about one inch deep. The temperature needs to be 60°F, and space them four feet apart.
For those of you living in colder climates, you’ll need to sow seeds indoors. Place seeds in individual pots filled with potting soil. Keep them in a greenhouse or wherever the temperatures reach 60°F.
Keep the soil moist, and the winter melon seeds will germinate quicker! After the danger of frost is over, transplant them outside.
This Is Everything You Need To Know About Growing Your Winter Melons
Now, as you can see, planting winter melons isn’t hard at all, and even the growing process is pretty easy! There are only a few steps that you should definitely follow to achieve the best harvest yet. So, here’s what you’re going to do!
- Make sure that your winter melons receive enough sunlight. Winter melon grows best in full sun, with at least six hours of direct sunlight. Anything under six hours will result in fewer fruits!
- This is the best watering schedule you could use. Water your winter melons twice a week. They thrive in wet conditions, so consistent moisture is a must!
- Should you use compost or fertilizer? Your go-to should always be organic compost, no matter what you’re growing! Harsh chemical fertilizers won’t do any good, they can only lead to terrible complications.
Applying organic compost from time to time will provide your winter melons with the nutrients they need, which is a very good start!
- Do a little pruning. When winter melons start rapidly growing, you’ll notice that some leaves might turn yellow. That’s when you should take your shears and start removing them.
You can cut one-third of the plant, but nothing more! This will encourage winter melons to start producing more fruit.
- There are a few pests you should keep an eye out for. Aphids, beetles, squash vine borers, and slugs are some of the pests that will enjoy the juicy sap from your winter melons. The best way to keep them away is to use neem oil!
Your Winter Melons Can Last Up To Six Months After Harvesting If You Do This
After going through all these tips, harvesting will be your final and sweetest step! When will that happen? It will take at least fourteen to fifteen weeks from seeds to fully grown winter melon. Usually, the harvesting season begins in early winter!
It’s best to harvest your fruits early in the morning. Trust me, once you see that only one plant can produce fifty winter melons, you’ll be amazed! I remember that I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face once I saw my fully grown winter melons.
You can harvest them by twisting the fruit with your hands and snapping it off the vine. Now, for storage, you can either keep them at room temperature or in a cold, dark place. Both methods will keep them fresh and tasty for up to six months! Isn’t that amazing?
With the help of all these tricks you learned today, you’ll be able to grow the best winter melons yet! Even though they aren’t hard to plant or grow, these helpful steps will help you provide your winter melons with everything they need to thrive.
After fall passes and early winter comes, all the work you’ve done will pay off! You’ll get healthy and juicy homemade winter melons that you can enjoy all winter long. Since winter will soon arrive in your garden, you should start trying these tips now!
Good luck!