Growing Melons in Tassie

The last melons right at the end summer. At this stage the vines have all died back and are putting all their energy into the fruit.

One of the big surprises over the last 2 years is discovering that we could grow rockmelons, honeydew melons and watermelons in Moonah. Home grown melons have a superior taste to store bought melons. This is because melons only ripen on the vine. Once picked the melon does not improve in flavour.

Yummy rockmelon ready to eat.

Melons need a sheltered sunny site and should be planted in November, December or January and will provide you with a crop about 2 months after translpant. Our first crop of melons grew really well but was in a windy spot and got horribly blown around. Last year we had a lovely warm and sheltered site and our fruiting vines were much more successful. 

The melons, pumpkins and tomato area is almost finished!

Melons are heavy feeders and need a similar amount of space to pumpkins.  The amount of sugar set in melons is closely related to the amount of magnesium in the soil. Prepare the soil with 125 -250 grams of dolomite lime per square metre to provide needed magnesium and calcium.

In cooler areas you may want to grow in a greenhouse or with cloches. In most areas of Hobart you should be able to grow melons without these aids once you are past the last frost. 

Little Sugarbaby Watermelon. Small but sweet.