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Chapel Hill, NC

What's up with all the lumber in everybody's melon patch? It seems everybody has enough lumber laying around in their patch to build a small house with. Is there a use for it other than holding the landscape cloth down? Yall got a cheap source as I need some to build hive bodies with.

5/11/2017 2:42:46 PM

Liberty nc

There for walking on so you don't compact your soil. Some build them up so the vines can grow underneath an other just let them grow over top.

5/11/2017 7:21:00 PM

Home of happy lil plants

I use them to tie melon too them so melon doesn't blow away

5/11/2017 7:50:06 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

I raise mine up on cinder blocks.
As Andrew said the vines grow right underneath,and I can access the stump or other parts of the patch without compacting the soil.

5/11/2017 9:36:21 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

New, and learning here...but aren't the wood blocks also used underneath of what you actually grow the melon on? To raise the grate (from fridge or somewhere) to keep it off the ground? If true? What goes on top of the raised grate? Peace, Wayne

5/13/2017 1:26:45 AM

NE Arkansas

I use plastic shelves Wayne... with pieces of landscape timbers under them to get air circulation under the rack or shelf

5/13/2017 4:53:33 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Similar here.
Wire shelf propped up on 2 x 4s.

5/13/2017 10:16:33 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

j, anything on top of the shelves? Just seems a bit bizarre to me to grow em on top of shelving (wire or plastic) that has gaps in them? Obviously I have not been paying attention! Wish me luck? Peace, Wayne
PS...I guess my concern comes from growing cucumber's on fencing that is 2" x 4" and some of the cuke's grow thru the openings when young. Maybe I should ask Chris? LOL
How far is the spacing b/tween bars on the shelving?

5/14/2017 12:53:10 AM

Grant, AL

I use wire shelves also Wayne. I prop the ends of the shelves up on concrete pavers so that I get good air flow directly under the middle of the shelf which is right under where the melon will be. You can pretty much use anything that you have handy to put under the shelves like 2x4s, concrete pavers, 4x4s, bricks, etc.

5/14/2017 6:58:53 AM

NE Arkansas

@ Wayne - I don't put anything on top of my shelf... The spacing is maybe 1/2 inch on the bars... I move my melon just slightly every week to ensure it doesn't grow into the shelf...

5/14/2017 9:12:27 AM

NE Arkansas

@ Wayne I use the same shelf system that Kent and Terry use... Some of them like to put a coated screen on top of the rack... I don't in fear of the cheese grater effect during my slight movements each week...

5/14/2017 9:18:59 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Thanks j, so 6" or so underneath the shelving? and moving it a lil each week, until it reaches what kind of massive weights? I guess at that point it is moving on it's own!! Peace, Wayne

5/15/2017 12:18:23 AM

sevierville, Tn

moving only as long as you can handle the weight, so it depends on how strong you are ! LOL

5/15/2017 12:44:12 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Howdy, Chris...not as strong as I am...but as strong as we are...I have help this year!! LOL Chris, how do you start seeds? I have started them in the past w/no prblms, but this year, 4 days in heat (5' square pots w/moist promix) after a short 3 hr soak, and nothing showing? Any ideas? Peace, Wayne

5/15/2017 11:36:31 PM

sevierville, Tn

Maybe 5 days... how warm wayne?

5/16/2017 6:22:18 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Chris, approx 92 F. I am almost at the dig em up stage, gently, just to see what is happening. Peace, Wayne

5/17/2017 1:10:10 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Well, I went thru the "dig em up" stage & did not find any remnants of any seeds....nothing, notta, zip!!! Very curious, but replanted w/hopefully better results? Peace, Wayne

5/17/2017 11:35:25 PM

Chapel Hill, NC

How many seeds did you plant? I always plant about 4 times what I think I'll want to plant to account for poor germination and casualties.

5/18/2017 2:14:52 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Due to limited supply, I planted one of each...305 Mudd, 350 Kent, 260 Clementz, and 205 Kent (JBD). Have replanted much shallower than the first time & a tad dryer! 205 Kent in less than 48 hours is up & under lights...this time around I went w/no file, no soak, and left the round end just above soil level! 350 & 305 both are showing signs of soil movement, so I think I got this figured out!!! Thanks to all for help!!! Peace, Wayne
I might be growin a melon after awl!!! LOL

5/21/2017 1:23:16 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

g, 305 & 205 are up & under lights...the other two look really dry on top...should I spray em w/a lil H20? Peace, Wayne

5/22/2017 12:01:53 AM