From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Hot West Tennessee

What do most of you put under your watermelons. I will shade this year, last year they got sun scald on west side.

7/6/2009 5:07:27 PM

formerly RGG

I grow on black plastic so there is no need for anything else underneath. I think most of the groweres on this forum use boards.

7/6/2009 5:46:33 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

Yes, I use boards to prevent rot. Never had a melon rot when up on them. I also put some sterile sandbox like sand under the melon spot as it is first setting. I also shade them when they start taking off.

7/7/2009 11:26:01 AM

sevierville, Tn

I do the shade thing above, sand underneath. The boards sound like a good idea. May try that this year.

7/7/2009 2:20:10 PM

Hot West Tennessee

Going to try the boards. Have one need to do something today before it gets to big to move. Thanks everyone

7/7/2009 6:00:46 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I use either 2x4 or 2x6 boards placed perpendicular to the fruit. Leave space in between each board for air flow and I add more boards when the melon gets longer. Usually I don't use over 3.

I have said this before, but in my years growing, I have never had a melon rot that was on boards. Before this, I had one or two rot every single year.

7/8/2009 2:13:37 PM

sevierville, Tn

MMM, I don't supose you have a picture of one on the boards ?

7/8/2009 2:18:35 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

This isn't rocket science. They are just boards a little longer than the finished melon will be wide. If the melon is laying north south, then put the boards east west. Leave a few inches between boards for air flow. I normally do not raise the melon off of the sand onto boards until it's at least 30 pounds.

7/9/2009 10:48:52 AM

Alabama

Hey guys and gals, I use fiberboard thats used as insulation on houses prior to bricking, Its made of paper and very flexible and forms to the round shape of the melon, your can break it with your hand. I used OSB sheathing for a few years but it will not bend or form to the shape of the melon.

7/12/2009 10:03:29 PM