Melon is a heat-loving crop that offers sweet fruits in mid-summer. To achieve a truly tasty and abundant harvest, it’s essential to choose the right planting time, follow growing techniques, and consider the soil and climate features. Choosing a variety, preparing seeds, and providing optimal conditions for germination all play a crucial role. As noted by the Baltimore Chronicle, failure to follow agronomic requirements can negate all the gardener’s efforts.
In this article, we will explore when it’s best to plant melon, which varieties to choose, and how to care for the plant for stable productivity.
Optimal Planting Dates for Melon in Ukraine
The planting time for melon directly depends on soil temperature and climatic zone. Melon does not tolerate frost, so it should only be planted once the danger of cold spells has passed.
Planting time by region:
- Southern Ukraine — late April to mid-May
- Central Ukraine — second half of May
- Northern regions — early June
It’s crucial that soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm reaches at least 15°C. Also, ensure that night air temperatures stay consistently above 10°C.
In areas with shorter summers, it is advisable to grow melons through seedlings. This method speeds up fruit development and reduces the risk associated with cold snaps.
Choosing a Plot and Preparing the Soil
Melons love warmth, sunlight, and loose soil with good drainage. They grow best in sandy loam or light loamy soils with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH.
Tips for choosing a planting spot:
- Choose a well-lit area without shade from trees or buildings.
- Avoid planting melons after cucumbers, pumpkins, or squash — this increases disease risk.
- The best precursors are cabbage, onion, garlic, and grains.
Soil preparation should begin in the fall: dig it up, add humus (4–5 kg/m²), wood ash (200 g/m²), and superphosphate. In spring, loosen the soil again before planting.
Preparing Seeds Before Sowing
To ensure good germination, seeds must be properly prepared. Treatment stimulates rapid sprouting and reduces disease risk.
Main steps of seed preparation:
- Select large, intact, undamaged seeds.
- Soak in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes.
- Rinse with clean water and soak in a growth stimulator (e.g., Epin).
- Wrap in damp gauze and leave in a warm place for 1–2 days until sprouting.
This approach improves germination and ensures better resistance to disease in early development.
Melon Planting Methods: Seedling and Direct Sowing
There are two main ways to plant melon — directly into open ground or through seedlings. Each has its advantages and drawbacks.
Direct sowing:
- The simplest and most traditional method.
- Seeds are sown into prepared holes 4–5 cm deep.
- Distance between holes: 70–100 cm.
Seedling method:
- Suitable for regions with cool summers.
- Seedlings are planted at 25–30 days old, after frost danger passes.
- Plants establish better if transplanted with a soil clump.
Caring for Melon After Planting
Once the sprouts appear, melons require regular care. The main agronomic steps include loosening the soil, watering, fertilizing, and forming vines.
Key care guidelines:
- Watering: moderate, ideally drip irrigation. Reduce watering during fruit ripening.
- Loosening: after each rain or watering.
- Fertilizing: 2–3 times per season with organic and mineral fertilizers.
- Shaping: pinch the main stem above the 5th–6th leaf to activate side shoots.
Melons are very sensitive to overwatering, especially during fruit ripening — excess moisture can cause splitting.
Comparison Table: Melon Growing Methods
| Parameter | Direct Sowing | Seedling Method |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Low | Medium |
| Yield | Medium | Higher |
| Maturity Time | Later | Earlier |
| Risks | Weather dependency | Transplant stress |
| Recommended Region | Southern Ukraine | Central and northern Ukraine |
Common Mistakes When Planting Melon
Even experienced gardeners may make mistakes that reduce yield. Here are the most common ones:
- Planting in cold soil.
- Overwatering or irregular watering.
- Overly dense planting.
- Using acidic or heavy soils.
- Ignoring diseases and pests.
Proper agronomic practices are key to success in melon growing, so it’s important to avoid these errors by following proven advice.
What You Need for a Great Harvest
To grow sweet and juicy melons, several factors must be considered: seed quality, proper timing, and diligent care. Optimal planting time, well-prepared soil, and timely fertilization — these are the three pillars of high yield.
By following these recommendations, even gardeners in northern Ukraine can achieve a successful harvest of this southern crop.
Earlier we wrote about how to properly plant a plum tree.