From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Lexington, Ky

Dang, I really like this set up!

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=190018

9/19/2012 8:21:15 AM

formerly RGG

The neat thing about growing one up in the air like that is the underside of the melon also receives light and the melon is colored all the way around instead of being a solid cream color on the bottom. Plus I think the melon had an added measure of protection from any disease or insects that may come out of the ground. Jake has done a great job of developing this and I will bet he loses very few if any melons with this technique. New growers please give this due consideration. We sometimes put our heart and soul into growing a big one only to lose it to rot. Jake used to have rot problems. I will bet you he had none this year though. And he has grown some very respectable melons.

9/19/2012 8:34:38 AM

Mass

I have mine up on 2x4s with out the shelving, worked good also, although bottoms are indented like 2x4. also used plastic plug trays from greenhouse. (somebody told me about that one also) or I saw it someones diary.

9/19/2012 5:35:47 PM

formerly RGG

Minnesota Melon Man aka James White gave us the idea of using 2 x 4's several years ago. I have never lost a melon using them. James was losing melons every year and decided to try the 2 x 4's and has sworn by them since.

9/19/2012 7:29:31 PM

Bowdon, GA

I have to thank my ol buddy Kirk for the idea. 2x4's worked better than sand, but with the rain we got this year I had a 100% failure rate on the 2x4s. I had never lost one on 2xs before. Both melons on the 2x4s rotted the other four were on the racks. If you get enough rain the 2x4s will eventually wick up enough water to rot the melon.

9/19/2012 8:50:42 PM

formerly RGG

Where did you find the racks Jake ?

9/20/2012 9:26:56 AM

El Paso TX.

TD -- looks like the type they sell at most hardware stores for closet organizer shelving -- pretty cheap and you can get them in any length you want.

9/20/2012 10:43:33 AM

Bowdon, GA

Ironically, The recycling place in our area would not let me get the ones out of the dumpster, so I bought a sheet of shelving at home depot 16" wide. I cut it up in to 40" sections with a saws-all.

9/20/2012 7:40:44 PM

Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee

A clarification on the photo of your 16"x40" melon set-up please, Mr. Holloway:
It appears one or two pieces of wood have been added atop the board ends on your side of the melon. Is that accurate and if so, what purpose does it serve? TIA, Regards, Clutch

9/22/2012 6:37:43 PM

Bowdon, GA

There was a slight slope to the lower side. The melon started leaning so I added the boards on the lower side to level it out.

9/22/2012 10:10:48 PM