Protecting Melons

Shoda 5/11/2010, 2:29 pm

I have one 4x8 SFG bed left to fill and plant. The kids want me to plant Midget Melons. They taste a lot like catalopes but are the size of large oranges and taste great. Last year in our non-SFG bed, they didn't grow very well (bad soil). Last year we had 2 melons disappear and one had a bite in it (those were our only melons).

I would love to plant them vertically in order to make the most use of our space. However, unless I can figure out how to make a chicken wire cover to "box in" the melon trellis, I will just let them sprawl and cover with a box frame like Mel describes in is book.

Has anyone come up with something that would work other then making an entire "HOUSE" around the bed? PVC perhaps?

Mikesgardn 5/11/2010, 3:38 pm

The first time I grew melons on a trellis, I made an A-frame cage that went from the top of the trellis down to the ground. It looked terrible, but worked. The second time, I didn't provide any cage, and nothing got to the the melons. This time, I'm thinking of trying the "square box" watermelon. You basically allow each melon to grow in a box, and it will grow into a cube shape they say. Google it for a laugh.

junequilt 5/11/2010, 3:52 pm

The best trellis I ever had was an old metal swing set -- talk about your A-Frame! DH thought it was too old and ugly to be part of our lives, so he got rid of it. I still miss it. Protecting Melons Icon_sad

Shoda 5/11/2010, 4:37 pm

Mike,

I love the square box idea! I wonder if I would see a racoon trying to eat their "boxed lunch" directly from the vine or if they would run off with them and try to break them open later. Protecting Melons Icon_lol

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