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Central NY

I gotta admit...I really didn't think anything would come of a watermelon plant growing in NY.. I tried a Home Depot watermelon a few years back and grew a 5' vine before it got taken over by our first pumpkin plant ...well sure as poop it's growing...and fast... I see the dish racks most people grow on..or grill grates?.. What are those things and what are some alternatives to use to get the watermelon off the ground...(I've been scouring the junk week piles around town but haven't had any luck finding grates...)... Thanks

7/27/2016 4:57:33 PM

Central NY

I probably shoulda done some homework this winter....

7/27/2016 4:58:17 PM

Lexington, Ky

Closet Wire Shelving

7/27/2016 5:18:42 PM

Hamilton Nj

Is mill fabric okay

7/27/2016 5:59:24 PM

Western PA

I have used 2 x 4's and never had an issue. cut them 20 inches long. I keep adding more as it gets longer. I think I have a pic, I can post......

7/27/2016 8:06:18 PM

Western PA

here you go...
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=225691

7/27/2016 8:08:25 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Closet wire shelving.
This year I'm using 1" PVC pipe.
Like Zappa I'm just adding pieces as it grows.
Get it up early.
Last year I messed around and when I finally got around to putting it up it was almost 60 pounds.
That was about 3 weeks old.
Not easy.

7/27/2016 9:24:57 PM

Central NY

Lol....aight ...these things are pretty cool

7/27/2016 9:27:59 PM

Central NY

Lol...If this thing is anywhere close to 60 in two weeks I'm gonna poop myself...but I'll get on it...

7/27/2016 9:29:17 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Never know.
Any idea how old it is?

7/27/2016 9:54:50 PM

Central NY

Day 8-9?

7/27/2016 10:48:20 PM

Bowdon, GA

I used 2X4's in the early days and had a few rot where it touched the 2x4. They are probably more likely to rot here than in PA though. I agree that wire shelving is the way to go. I don't know if it helps any thing but if the middle is left unsupported the bottom isn't quiet as flat. I think this slightly decreases circumference inflation.

7/27/2016 10:59:26 PM

Grant, AL

I use 4 foot long wire shelving. The shelf is 20 inches wide. I put the shelf on 12" concrete pavers to give the rack a little more strength. There is also just enough room between the rack and pavers to allow some air to flow and keep the bottom of the melon dry. Good luck Porkchop! Looks like you got a good one!

7/27/2016 11:09:19 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Not that I have a melon growing, but does anything go b/tween the wire shelving, and the melon? Normal mill fabric, or anything? Peace, Wayne

7/28/2016 12:42:54 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

You can start measuring him now Porkchop.
Like a pumpkin.

7/28/2016 6:19:54 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

Here is a link to a good OTT chart.

http://giantwatermelongrowers.com/giant-watermelon-growers/watermelon-inches-chart/

7/28/2016 6:22:28 AM

Bethlehem CT

You can use a nice bed of sand or a piece of mill fabric. I cut one of my pieces of mill fabric into 6 smaller sheets to be used for melons. I don't think that in the North we have to worry about the melon rotting as much as they do down south. Rotting melons is one of my last concerns as I have only lost one melon to a soft spot on the rind. (so far)
No melons for me this year, I planted black diamonds and they got attacked by aphids and wilt. This year has been one of the most challenging for me, usually I am able to at least harvest something.

7/28/2016 6:58:47 AM