A Guide to Growing Melons and Watermelons: Proven Techniques by Charles Dowding

Melon plants' season of growth is short, but we can prolong it by early sowing under cover. Growth in summer is rapid, and I show you different varieties, plus a watermelon plant. At the end is a tasting!

Don't underestimate the need for warmth, otherwise you may spend a lot of time and effort for little result. At Homeacres I grow them mostly under cover for decent harvests. I rarely enjoy success with outdoor melons.

My sowing dates here in 2022, were 31st March and 4th April.
Emir F1, Minnesota Midget, Petit Gris de Rennes, Ogen - all Charentais type.

See my online lesson about growing melons, which includes a seed to harvest video:

00:00 Introduction - melons on the hotbed
01:24 Potting on mid to late April
02:31 In the greenhouse 17th May, planting Early Moonbeam watermelon
04:12 Watering new planting
04:37 Planting with string in the hole, same method as for cucumber and tomato
08:05 More on watering after planting
08:55 Middle of June - a look at the melon plants
09:24 Twisting the top of the plant around the string, and what to do if the stem snaps
10:33 Comparing the two types of melon - Emir F1and a smaller-fruited Minnesota Midget
10:57 5 weeks later, mid-July - pinching out new growth, and regular watering
13:08 How to know when melons are ripe
13:32 The option of growing melons on the ground
13:50 Middle of August, three months since transplanting - a look at ripeness
16:00 Mildew on the leaves, why and does it matter?
17:12 Harvesting, and more on ripeness
19:25 Melons growing on the ground
21:13 Growth of plants outside - runner/pole beans, and French beans
21:51 A look at the watermelon in the greenhouse, transplanted in May, and how to tell if it’s ripe
24:22 Melon tasting. Different varieties

Check out this video short from 2022 on growing and harvesting melons:

Filmed through 2022 by Alessandro Vitale @SpicyMoustache and edited by him, with a Little help from Edward Dowding.

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#melon #nodig #growyourownfood #healthyfood #nodiggardening

[plantabundance]

Somebody give this man a "Gardener Of The Year" award! Awesome stuff!

[nestor]

The effort put forth to do this a whole year ahead of time in order to time it for people planting the next year... That's some real dedication, and the shots of everything were so great. I don't often have time to do the kind of garden like I'd want but just seeing your garden is an inspiration.

[jamiegiddens]

I find myself smiling at his pleasure of tasting the melons! Pure joy!

[xvuur]

The look on your face, tasting the melons, made my day. Great video!

[SaintCoemgen]

I think I enjoyed watching your taste session the most (24:25). The joy on your face on how wonderful some of the melons tasted kind of says it all for me. And why growing one's own is really so rewarding. The taste, smell and overall experience is simply so much better than anything one can find in a supermarket. 🙂

[SimonNoDigNeale]

I'm growing melons for the first time this year so I shall binge watch this video several times. Just like I do with all your videos.

[VeronicaPalahniuc]

The importance of planning ahead and watching this channel!

[MAMDAVEM]

I love growing melons, usually 3 or 4 varieties. I love the reaction I get when you tell people you grow melons in Wales and they expect them to be not very good and when they taste them they are blowen away and say they are the best they have tasted.

[dustin]

When you ate that melon and said "I wish I could share this with you!" I knew you meant it, I felt it.

[julesgoh]

What an absolutely delightful and refreshing video. Labour of love in the gardening and the videography. Thank you to Charles and team

[peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo]

Charles!!! I don't believe I've ever seen you taste on camera (only once before)
but it was so authentic! I loved watching from beginning to end 👍

[inharmonywithearth]

I never knew a polytunnel worked in the summer! Incredible. You teach me something every time.

[KurisuBonsai]

I grew my cucumbers up strings last year after watching your recommendation and it worked an absolute treat!! Also tried mini watermelons and they grew well too until they wilted after setting one little fruit!! Sticking with cucumbers this year!!

[priayief]

I like that you show the progress of these plants in a single video. Thanks.

[clarereynolds]

I've just watched this video again to cheer myself up..rained again today- 4th April 2024, you always cheer me up Charles..my grandad and my grandson are also called Charles ! :-) thank you for being you.

[Bee-miml]

I love seeing you enjoy the "fruits of your labour"!
This made me yearn for summer.

[itsmewende]

Charles ever since the first time I seen your tomatoes on a string, I've wanted to do that. Last yr I took all the things off the grans swing set, put it on the edge of the garden and voila, I finally had something to put string on, I used clothesline cord. It gave me room for 10 strings, I grew tomatoes & cukes up it, worked like a charm.

[eranpm]

One of your best videos to date. It was just like being there with you. And that surprised look on your face in that melon taste was priceless. Thank you!

[robertling]

Thank Charles for all your video's and positive NoDig information.

[instabloksuncare]

What a lovely documentary, Mr. Dowding et al.!!
Thank you for the time and effort, although enjoyable to you I’m sure, that you put into these videos.