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Williamsburg,KY

Its been hot hot hot here in KY, should I make a shade structure for my watermelons? Right now, Im placing extra vine on top of the melon for some shade but doesnt supply much shade...All ideas welcomed...thanks

8/2/2007 7:56:05 AM

southwest MO

Yes shade them... dont get the structure so tight it bakes in there... I put a picture up of a simple shade structure... Its on a pumpkin but I have the same thing only smaller for my melons. I'm useing 85-90% shade cloth to help it breath under there a little better.

8/2/2007 12:25:13 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Thanks, have to get to work on that this evening when its cooler, its 94 now...I did use some on my pumpkins but they fell apart at the end of the season. Just wanted to know if I should shade my melons,,,will do...thanks boy genius..

8/2/2007 3:20:13 PM

southwest MO

We are starting a good string of mid 90's now also... good luck to you

8/2/2007 10:23:47 PM

Williamsburg,KY

My melons are shaded, got to it last night. Just so happened to have some shade cloth I bot about 15 years ago and it worked great. Now to take care of those pesky racoons that attack the corn, Im sure they will find the melons. But thats another problem...Gardening is so much fun...hahaaa

8/3/2007 7:27:00 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

You should shade the melons to prevent sun scald on the fruit. If you scald the fruit, it prevents easy future growth.

I use 9 gauge metal loops, and gunny sacks held on with clothes pins. Works great.

8/6/2007 10:45:42 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Hey Melon Man...thanks for the tip. My melons are covered with shade cloth and even extra mesh on the south side, that afternoon sun can be brutal. I used tobacco sticks pounded inthe ground and stapled the cloth on the top of each stake..What do you think my chances are at growing to 200 lbs. my measurements are 40+31+60, as of 8/3, started seed sometime in late April/early May. thanks

8/7/2007 8:43:03 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

I would guess that your odds depend on the weather. It could get scorchingly hot, and the plants could shut down. I don't know your growing season, so I don't know if a April/May start is good. I started my plants in early March.

At this point I am wondering at my odds of beating my previous best. I have a number of good melons, and I am pushing the food on them. Last night each plant received 3 gallons of rabbit manure tea. Tonight I plan on hitting them with 5-50-17 fertilizer.

I left my numbers at home, but I do have 3 melons well over a 110, two melons near 100 pounds, but growing leaps and bounds, and a bunch of melons that I will just eat.

8/7/2007 11:19:07 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Im in Zone 6, could have started melons earlier but ya know how that goes. The heat here is unbearable, 98 yesterday and the same today....I fertilize weekly with Sea Grow Plus and some Miracle Grow and manure tea, I alternate fertilizers. My melons gained 10" overall in 4 days, so they are still growing. I may water today, I use milk jugs and water directly to soil. My melons are only about 82 lbs as of yesterday, using melon chart.

8/9/2007 8:25:16 AM