From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Franklinton ,La.

What do you growers use to sit the melon on during the course of the growing season to kepp them off the ground .Shelving,racks,pvc racks,etc.?

4/29/2017 1:54:08 AM

simpson,KS

Plastic shelving. With no lip on the edges. And fiberglass screen over that. To keep the critters at bay.

4/29/2017 9:40:27 AM

Grant, AL

We use metal shelving with pic hoops and a tarp over the top to shade the melon from the sun. Look at jsterrys diary from last year to get an idea of how to do the hoops and tarp.

4/29/2017 10:08:51 AM

Grant, AL

I meant pvc

4/29/2017 10:09:29 AM

Franklinton ,La.

Thanks Charles

4/29/2017 2:41:27 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Big dogg,I went to my local landfill and raided an old oven for a rack.
Wire shelving from closets works well.
Big melons is right about the screen on top.

4/29/2017 9:53:45 PM

NE Arkansas

I use a plastic shelf system from home depot... I set it on 12" pieces of landscape timbers and put moth balls under it...

4/29/2017 11:03:40 PM

sevierville, Tn

make sure its strong enough to hold the weight. do the spencer test and jump on it in the store ! LOL

4/30/2017 8:00:16 AM

Chapel Hill, NC

So what do the mothballs do? What critters stay away because of the mothballs?

4/30/2017 8:44:13 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Is there an issue with mill fabric?

5/1/2017 1:12:01 PM

NE Arkansas

I have heard horror stories about melons on mill fabric but I have never tried it myself...

5/1/2017 3:27:08 PM

NE Arkansas

@ gwarren mothballs are also recommended to keep mice, snakes and other pest away...

5/1/2017 3:30:22 PM

Home of happy lil plants

Where's that Andrew vial fellow has a good one to ask about mill fabric

5/1/2017 9:32:57 PM

Liberty nc

I do not like if for melons but others have not had trouble with it. I think down here in the south it dose not let enough ventilation on top of a shelf. Lost 3 melons over 200 last year on mill fabric. But it's your option .

5/1/2017 9:54:26 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

So, andrew...what is your alternative? What goes b/tween the shelving & the melon? &jlindley, does other pests include Mr. Kent...thinking I read somewhere that only special green stuff, can keep Superman away!! LOL Peace, Wayne

5/2/2017 12:45:26 AM

Liberty nc

You don't have to put anything between them I was just looking for something easier to let the melon slide across more easier.

5/2/2017 5:52:36 AM

Liberty nc

You don't have to put anything between them I was just looking for something easier to let the melon slide across more easier.

5/2/2017 8:27:43 AM

Chapel Hill, NC

Why would mill fabric tear up a watermelon, is it too rough?

5/2/2017 10:14:20 AM

Liberty nc

I don't think it tears it up I had problems with melons rotten on it. Some people Add a little sand to the top to help with the melon growing. I had problems with the mill fabric getting wet under the melon an not drying out. But that was my problem. Others may be able to tell you how they use it An how it worked for them. Mill fabric is a little rough screen would be better on a shelf from what I am told

5/2/2017 10:39:41 AM

Chapel Hill, NC

Ok, I have some fiberglass screen material

5/2/2017 2:06:45 PM

Liberty nc

Gwarren I put a few pictures in my diary from the melons on mill fabric last year

5/2/2017 8:01:56 PM

Chapel Hill, NC

Yep, I saw them

5/3/2017 10:22:10 AM

Hamilton Nj

i had a 38lb melon on mill fabrick last year no issues but im not sure about a 200 plus melon

5/3/2017 11:21:47 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Yeah I did 167 on mill fabric that's why I was asking. I would think the weight would cause the wire shelving to cut into the melon if I am picturing this correctly?

5/4/2017 8:25:29 AM

NE Arkansas

Alot of us use the plastic shelves from the shelf kits at Home depot... there's a white set that's 36 x 24 that I'm using...

5/4/2017 10:33:41 AM

SW Ohio

I use the wire shelves. No screen or anything else. So far, i have not had any problems.

5/4/2017 5:22:05 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Wire shelving here.
Just makes little marks in the melon.
Almost like grill marks on a steak.

5/4/2017 7:40:27 PM

Liberty nc

Mmmmmm steak!

5/4/2017 7:52:19 PM