Melons
Sugar melons and watermelons
Melons have long been cultivated around the Mediterranean, in Africa and in South-West Asia. But the first fruits were bitter in flavour. Only the oil-rich seeds were harvested.
Since then, the plant has been refined – not least in France. There, the melon enjoyed a renaissance in the 15th century after being forgotten for a while.
Today, there is a good range of varieties to grow in Sweden. Among the sugar melons – where the seeds are in the centre – you can choose between cantaloupe, net melon and honeydew melon. There are also varieties such as mango melon and cucumber melon.
Watermelon – where the seeds are scattered throughout the flesh – is grown in exactly the same way as sugar melon. But botanically, it belongs to a different genus. In addition to the pinkish-red watermelon, there are varieties with yellow or orange flesh.
Propagating melon
Melon plants need to be pre-propagated in order for them to develop their fruits. Sow the seeds indoors in April-May, 4-6 weeks before planting out.
Place the seeds about 1 cm deep in planting soil. Melon seeds need warmth to germinate, preferably around 25 degrees. Use an electric heating mat or place the seed on a radiator, underfloor heating or above a refrigerator. Keep moist during germination.
Melons have lovely vigour and grow quickly. Top the seedlings when they have developed 3-5 leaves. Then they will branch out and form more stems.
Plant melon warmly
Melon plants are sensitive to cold. Therefore, wait to plant them out until the temperature is at least five degrees at night. Harden them off for a couple of days. This is done by leaving the plants outside for longer and longer periods during the day, preferably covered with fibre cloth. Bring them inside during the night.
Then it’s time for final planting. Melons love sun and heat. Grow them in a greenhouse, hotbed or sheltered position on a balcony or patio. In the open air, a growing tunnel is a practical tool. It provides both wind protection and a warmer microclimate.
Melons thrive in fertilised and well-drained soil. If they are to be grown on the ground, 70-90 cm is a suitable planting distance. If the melons are tied up and allowed to climb, they will take up less space. Then about 40 cm is a suitable planting distance. Remember that the fruits are heavy and may need support when hanging. For example, they can rest in a nylon stocking tied to a plant support.
Caring for melon plants
Feed regularly during the season. Nettle water is particularly good for melons as they like silica. Cover the soil between the plants with organic material. This keeps moisture in the soil, smothers weeds and adds extra nutrients. It also makes the soil warmer – a definite bonus for the heat-loving melon.
Watch out for slugs. Other pests that can find their way into melon crops include spider mites, powdery mildew, grey mould and whitefly. Shower the plants with a soft jet from time to time to prevent and discourage infestations.
Help pollination on its way
When the melon flowers appear, it’s time for fertilisation. In greenhouses, you may need to support pollination. Brush flower after flower as if it were a bumblebee flying around. If the melons are covered with fibre cloth or a growing tunnel, make sure there are openings for part of the day. That way the insects can get in and do their work.
When a fruiting body has formed, cut off a couple of leaves from the vine after the fruiting body has formed, to give the fruit the best opportunity to develop. Allow each melon plant to develop 3-6 fruits.
Enjoy home-grown melons
A melon is ready to harvest when it starts to smell and detaches easily from the plant. Store in a cool place, but preferably not as cold as in a refrigerator.
Melons are easy to enjoy! Eat them cut into wedges or spooned straight from the rind. Mix melon with frozen banana for a refreshing summer smoothie. Or contrast the sweetness of melons with something savoury. A cheese tray with crackers, olives, grapes and melon is a classic. Melon cubes give a lift to both vegetable and fruit salads.
A different thing to try is grilled watermelon. Remove the skin and grill a few slices for 1-2 minutes on each side. The melon will have a nicely caramelised surface and is suitable as a side dish to other grilled foods, or as a dessert with cream or ice cream.
Author: Johanna Damm
Fact-checked by Erik Hoekstra
Last updated 2022-10-14