The honeydew melon is one of the two main cultivar types in Cucumis melo Inodorus Group.[1] It is characterized by the smooth rind and lack of musky odor. The other main type in the Inodorus Group is the wrinkle-rind casaba melon.
Honeydew melons have been cultivated for thousands of years and are believed to have originated either in the Middle East, Western Asia, or West Africa. The melon's origins remain unknown, but records of the melon were discovered in Ancient Egyptian tombs, dating back to 2400 BCE, proving the melon's ancient existence.
When to Plant Honeydew
Honeydew melons grow best in hot, dry weather and warm soil.
In hot climates, sow before the last frost. If you live in a hot-weather environment, sow your melon seeds in spring a few days before the last frost.
In cold climates, start indoors. If you live in a cool-weather climate, start the seeds indoors at least three weeks before the last frost, then transplant the seedlings into your garden when the danger of frost is over.
Honeydew melons have a long growing season, which runs from early spring to early fall. Once your soil temperature reaches at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit, you can begin sowing honeydew seeds:
1. Choose the site. Honeydew melons require ample space and full sun to thrive. Choose a sunny area with enough space to accommodate the plant’s vines.
2. Prepare the soil bed. Honeydew melons prefer fertile, well-draining soil with organic matter. Before planting, work a few inches of organic matter like compost or aged manure into the soil. Use a soil test to assess your soil for deficiencies and acidity. You can amend the soil with organic solutions like compost, nutrient meals, or specific fertilizers.
3. Set up trellises or mounds. Honeydew melons grow vines that require a lot of surface area in the garden. These plants grow best either on raised mounds (six inches tall, spaced four to six feet apart) or on trellises (spaced three to four feet apart).
4. Plant the seeds. Sow seeds (or plant melon seedlings, if transplanting) on each mound or below each trellis, around ½ inch deep.
5. Water. Honeydew melons are drought-intolerant so keep the soil moist while the seeds germinate, and the seedlings grow.
6. Thin the seedlings. When the seedlings sprout at least two true leaves, you’ll need to use gardening shears to thin them back so that there are only two to three plants per mound or trellis.
7. Mulch around the seedlings. After thinning your young plants, you should mulch around them to preserve moisture, retain warmth, and prevent weeds from sprouting.
