How to Grow Melons in a Greenhouse
Melons are easy to grow outdoors and even easier to grow in greenhouses due to readily available supports to hold the vines steady. Since melons are a summer fruit, they can be grown in cold greenhouses. A cold greenhouse uses the sun's heat instead of a supplemental source. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Potting compost
- Seed trays
- Large containers
- Compost
- Grass clippings
- Straw
- Jute twine
- Used nylons
Instructions
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1
Fill seed trays with potting compost (compost and potting soil mixed to a 1-to-1 ratio). Place two or three seeds in each seed pot, beginning in mid-April. Keep the soil moist but not saturated during germination.
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Prepare containers by adding compost, grass clippings and straw. Place them along the walls of the greenhouse. Transplant seedlings when they have two true leaves, usually three to four weeks after germination.
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Tie the strongest shoot to a support, such as a wall stud, with jute twine. Remove side shoots by pinching them off. Remove additional shoots after the main stem has reached the top of the support. This will force it to bloom and create fruit.
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4
Water your melons frequently, but do not allow the plant itself to get wet. The soil should remain moist but not soggy.
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Cradle melons in used nylons for added support. Wrap the nylons around the fruit and tie the nylons to wall supports.
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Tips & Warnings
Remove large shading leaves as the fruit ripens. Fertilize once per week with a liquid tomato fertilizer. To maintain humidity, keep a bucket filled with water inside the greenhouse. Change the water at night to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
