Learning to grow melons from seed is one of the most rewarding gardening skills. It opens a
world of delicious flavors for you and your family to enjoy. Store-bought melons are often
harvested early, prioritized for shipping rather than flavor, resulting in bland and unappetizing
fruit. How many times have you cut into a watermelon only to find it tastes like slightly sweet
cardboard? We understand that disappointment, and in this blog, “How to Grow Melons from
Seed,” we aim to provide you with the confidence to cultivate melons annually from an
inexpensive pack of seeds, allowing you to share your bounty with friends and family.

When considering growing melons from seed, you can break down the process into three
essential stages: germinating the seeds, nurturing healthy melon plants, and knowing when to
harvest them. This blog will explore each step in detail.

Step #1: Germinating Your Melon Seeds

Melon seeds belong to a diverse group with a wide range of colors, shapes, flavors, and
textures. For example, cantaloupe seeds develop sweet, orange-fleshed melons, while Kajari
seeds produce a unique variety that turns from green to orange as it ripens. You can shop all
our fruit seeds here.

When shopping for melon seeds to grow in your garden, you can categorize them as follows:

• Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus): Larger melons with smooth skin and high water
  content. They come in various flesh colors, including red, yellow, white, green, and
  orange. 
• Cantaloupes (Cucumis melo): Typically have netted or smooth skin and firmer flesh. 
• Honeydew (Cucumis melo inodorus): Belongs to a separate plant genus, though it is
  similar to cantaloupe.

There are many more varieties to explore, from muskmelons to Galia melons. Regardless of
which melon seeds you choose to grow, they share similar planting requirements. Unlike corn, you can grow many different varieties of melons in one garden or field, and it will not change the flavor or
shape of the melons you harvest that season. We recommend you shop for several varieties
and enjoy a bounty of different-flavored melons. You can shop all our melon seeds here.

A special note for those growing melons in coastal communities: Melons require full sun and
ample heat for good fruit production. To ensure this, if you are growing close to the coast, we
recommend you start your plants 4-6 weeks later than inland communities. For San Diego
specifically, those wishing to grow melons must wait until May grey is past and can even wait
until June gloom has concluded for the healthiest plants.

Direct Sowing Melon Seed is Recommended

Melon seeds germinate quickly in warm soil and can be directly sown in the garden. Though
transplanting is an option, planting seeds directly saves time and effort. In addition to this blog,
we recommend you read our Direct Seeding for Success blog for more information on how to
direct sow several kinds of seeds correctly. We also have in-depth education in our Seed
Starting Academy. These are great resources to strengthen your skill in direct seeding.

Considerations for Direct Sowing Melon Seeds

To ensure successful germination, follow these key steps:

1. Prepare the Soil: The soil should be weed-free, well-watered, and have a light texture. Mixing compost and manure can enhance soil texture.
2. Moisture Levels: Ensure the soil is adequately moist by watering it a few days prior to sowing.
3. Seed Bed Preparation: Lightly rake the soil to remove large rocks, sticks, or weeds, creating a suitable seed bed.

Once your soil is prepped, employ the furrow method: create a furrow in the soil, place the
seeds inside, and cover them with sifted soil or potting mix. This helps prevent crusting,
facilitates quick germination, and retains moisture—crucial in warmer zones (9/10). For added
humidity, consider using a row cover during germination. Remember, soil must not completely
dry out during this period, or germination will fail. Once your seeds emerge within 7-14 days,
you’ll be ready for the next step.

Step #2: Growing Healthy Melon Plants

Growing Melons from seed, or in general, requires a specific conditions to thrive. Here are the essentials:

1. Sunlight: Melons need full sun, even in the hottest climates. Sunlight hours are crucial
   for healthy growth. Melon plants grown in partial shade will not produce ample fruit. Do
   not be concerned with summer heat. Melons love heat! In fact, warmer parts of Zones
   9/10 grow better melons than coastal communities.  
2. Irrigation: Regular watering at the soil level is vital for success. 
3. Fertilization: Fertilize at planting time and at least once during the growing season to
   aid fruit development. 
4. Plant Density: More plants increase the chances of successful pollination and fruit set.

A common mistake among gardeners is failing to provide sufficient sunlight. Melons require all-
day exposure to photosynthesize effectively. Shade hampers growth and leads to poor yields.
Consider planting them in pots that spill into the garden or pathways. The roots need soil
contact, while the vine can grow freely above ground. If using pots, ensure they don’t dry out
between waterings.

Regular irrigation is essential for thriving plants. While hand-watering is possible, it’s harder to
gauge how much water the plants receive. If watering by hand, do so slowly and deeply at the
soil level, avoiding overhead watering, which can lead to foliar diseases.

We utilize a quality granular fertilizer at planting like our Darn Good Fertilizer and again when
the plants begin to set fruit. This ensures they have the energy needed for abundant yields.

While having multiple plants is not mandatory, it increases pollination opportunities and
enhances fruit production. After some time, you will notice baby melons developing. We
recommend not culling melons, as nature often thins them out on its own. To protect your fruit,

place cardboard beneath them to deter pests, turning them periodically to check for signs of
damage.

Once your fruit seems ready for harvest, it is time to ensure optimal flavor and texture.

When to Harvest Your Melons

One of the saddest moments for a gardener, especially when growing from seed, is harvesting a melon before its prime ripeness. Not only is all your hard work wasted, but you will also feel guilt over the lost potential flavor. Here are the key factors to consider when determining if your melon is ripe:

• Check the Calendar: Ensure your melons have reached the minimum days to maturity as indicated on the seed packet. For example, if the packet states 90 days (about 3 months), verify that your plants have matured for at least that long. This does not mean you pick your melons right at the 90 day mark, but rather, use that as a starting point to start examining the melons for signs of peak ripeness.  
• Examine the Melon: Look for signs such as a dried tendril next to the plant (specific to watermelons), a fragrant smell (for Asian melons and cantaloupes), color changes (like the Kajari melon), and assess the weight, ensuring it’s heavy and dense.

Generally, melons need longer than you might expect to reach peak sweetness and juiciness. In
contrast, prematurely harvested melons result in poor taste that can’t be reversed! With all that hard work spent growing your melons from seed, you don’t want to be disappointed. 

We provide detailed information on each seed pack or product page, including harvesting tips,
which can vary by cultivar. Always check for unique characteristics of the variety you are
growing. As time goes on, you will learn the nuances of each variety and become better attuned
to a melon’s ripeness. If you are growing the melon for the first time, make sure to check all the
factors listed above before considering harvesting.

If you are confident that it is time to harvest, you can simply pull the melon from the vine, slice it,
and enjoy! Melons left in the field too long have an increased chance of being eaten by pests,
and if you are watering irregularly, you can increase the likelihood of a melon (watermelon
specifically) splitting due to an abrupt increase in watering. Keep both these factors in mind for
your harvesting time.