Lets Grow our own Watermelons/Cantalopes

We do have to baby/protect our plants in the fall & at times in the summer, from the weather. But well worth it in the end.

Frost on the pumpkins this morning in New England. Brrrrrr….

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Shouldn’t hurt them as they should be mature by now.

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Salt is a great way to enhance these fruits’ natural sweetness. Salting watermelon also improves the fruit’s texture. A little sprinkling of salt brings all the liquid to the surface of the water-rich fruit. As a result, each bite is guaranteed to be juicy and sweet.

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The salt on watermelon has been a debate forever. I know a lot of people that will only eat melons with salt and the same amount that will never:) I am one that will never add salt as it gives it a bitter taste. But that’s the consumers choice. :+1:

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Amazing growing season, watermelons shouldn’t be growing in October!! Picked 6 Fresh but small melon’s this week. I just don’t understand that, but we have enjoyed our watermelon most days for desert & froze some more, the way you suggested @Craig_Anthony for the holiday’s.

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I only like the salty/sweet taste on popcorn not watermelon!

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I plant Jubilee watermelons. I often have ones weighing over 40lbs. You need space for the vines. I plant several seeds on a mound about 2’ across and space these mounds 6 feet apart. I reduce the mounds to two plants only. I work fertilizer into the soil at the time of forming the mound. I do not typically fertilize again. I like Jubilee because they have seeds which you can save to plant next year. I have no issue with hybrid plants but hybrid plants of any kind are not viable for seed retention for planting the next year. Those who are growing to grow the largest melons reduce the vine to just one melon.
I grow everything from seeds except onions. I order my onion plants from Dixondale. Many seeds I direct sow into the garden. Tomatoes, cabbage, spinach, peppers, lettuce, broccoli I raise indoors to be transplanted at the appropriate time. I rotate where I plant my crops in the garden each year. Also, I plan when I harvest one vegetable to plant another in its place. For example, I harvest my potatoes and go back with beans in that area. Or, I harvest my corn and plant sweet potatoes.

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I usually have one of my melons stubborn and refuses to keep growing, but yes it will consume all of the nutrition of the plant. I try to pick as soon as they are ready to feed the other melons as well.

Will you please post your comments regarding the vegetables in a Topic subject of Vegetable Growing, help & tips ?

You have a lot of great information that may help folks in that subject, Thank you very much & Congratulations on your gardening success.

November 5th in north Alabama, found, picked, ate & froze 5 watermelons. Never heard of or experienced that. The end for sure, cleared the field & found 2 more cut with the bush hog, bronco… Great Season!

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Thanks @Craig_Anthony for the tip, reverse of what I have always thought and taught but it works. Leave air in the bag of the melon. Even saved one quart bag for New Years Day and was still almost as good as freshly picked watermelon. Hope we have a good crop this year and will bag some to last till next July!!

It’s harvest time in north Alabama. The first melon always seem’s to be the best & largest. Probably will never come close to our 34 lb one. Hope everyone grew their melons this year

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