ORGANIC GROW
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growing possible in every warm microclimate across
Australia, but a decent portion of those 75 days must
have temperatures of around 28–35°C to produce the
sweetest fruit. This makes the melon one of the potential
food-garden champions in a warming world. Not many
plants can handle day after day of heat, but melons scoff
at it, using the heat to develop their juiciness and sugars.Growing notes
Most melon varieties take up a bit of space at ground
level. I allow about two to three square metres of area
per plant for the vines to ramble, but if space is really
tight, bush varieties such as ‘Minnesota Midget’ and
dwarf vines such as ’Tigger’ are worth a go. These
smaller growers are even doable in a decent-sized
pot – yes, you can grow melons on your balcony.
The best time to plant melons in most Australian
climate zones is late winter or early spring. In frost prone
areas, start the plants indoors, perhaps with the help of
some bottom heat via a pad or tray (available online or
at nurseries). The exception to this rule is in the tropics,
where melons are best started in autumn and grown
through the winter dry season.
The best way to start melons is by sowing seed into
small pots. Don’t use punnets. Go for something like a
10cm square pot, which has plenty of room for rapidly
growing roots. Fill the pot with potting mix, rather than
seed-raising mix (potting mix has more nutrients), make
an indentation about 2cm deep, drop two seeds in and
backfill (two seeds will increase success rate). Ensure
seedlings are kept warm (to germinate, potting mix
should be 18°C or more) and they will pop up in about
a week. Given lots of filtered sunlight, the seedlings will
power along until they’re ready to plant out in around
four weeks time. Wait until the risk of frost has passed
before setting the plants in the ground.Soil and water
Like other cucurbits, melons love a gutsy soil that is high
in nutrients and organic matter. In my experience, the
richer the soil, the better the crop. One of the best melon
crops I’ve seen was grown in beautiful, chocolatey,
ex-rainforest loam, a soil that had the nutrients and
moisture-holding capacity to produce some bumper
fruit despite a spell of hot, dry weather. To replicate
these conditions, I recommend working some well-rotted
manure or compost into all but the richest soil, along with
a smattering (about a double handful) of pelletised chook
fertiliser per planting site. The plants prefer a slightly
acid to neutral pH. If your soil is excessively alkaline
(above 8), add sulphur. If it’s acidic (below 6), add lime.
Water is vital for plants to really get going and
the fruit to swell and mature. Water consistently forClimate zones: All zones
but warmth needed for best results
height: Suitable for trellis growing
Spacing: Approximately 1m apart
Position: Full sun
PLANT: Spring in temperate, arid/semi-aridand
subtropical zones, autumn in tropics
Time till harvest: 75–105 daysFACT FILE:
Cucumis meloAbove left and left: Start melons by sowing seeds in
small pots; add pelletised chook fertiliser when planting.
Right (clockwise from top): ‘French Charentais’;
‘Delice de la Table’; immature ‘Hales Best’. PHOTOS: THE GARDEN COLLECTION