A Guide to Growing Melons and Watermelons: Proven Techniques by Charles Dowding
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2024
- 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:
www.charlesdowding.co.uk/prod...
When you make a purchase of products I recommend, please use this link to my page on Crocus tidd.ly/44dEU7d, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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:
• Grow and harvest melon...
And this one from 2020: • Melon growing and harv...
Filmed through 2022 by Alessandro Vitale @SpicyMoustache and edited by him, with a Little help from Edward Dowding.
You can join this channel by paying a monthly fee, to support our work with helping gardeners grow better, and to receive monthly videos made only for members:
/ @charlesdowding1nodig
#melon #nodig #growyourownfood #healthyfood #nodiggardening 
Хобби
Somebody give this man a "Gardener Of The Year" award! Awesome stuff!
Gardener of the century I’d say!👍🏻💪🤠💗🙏your channel is pretty awesome too.👍🏻
Awesome video! I struggle with the cucurbits, so I have a private playlist for growing them. I added this video as I plan to watch it over and over until I succeed. So many good tips.
Prophet of the No Dig!
Love your channel also, youre great
I agree, he talks more plain, understandable sense than any gardener I'v heard before.
I find myself smiling at his pleasure of tasting the melons! Pure joy!
Nice to make you smile 🙂
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.
So nice thankyou
Yes !!!❕❕
So for you it's time that you don't have, for me it's space. And then the neighbours untrained dog that digs any moist soil it sees just So it can nest in the coolness
The look on your face, tasting the melons, made my day. Great video!
26:46 😂
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. 🙂
Agreeing with basically everything you're saying, and I would add that even buying from a farmer's market, you won't get the same taste as u can from something that was either JUST picked ( especially if the sun was on it - but not as-in, drying it out too much- ) or never been chilled/refrigerated, which often needs to happen between picking and u choosing it at the market, for various reasons.
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.
Nice!!
The importance of planning ahead and watching this channel!
What an absolutely delightful and refreshing video. Labour of love in the gardening and the videography. Thank you to Charles and team
Watching this in 4k is mesmerising!!
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.
I am happy to see this Clare, and your family are so well named!
Yes the rain and lack of sun are getting ridiculous, but there are some signs of improvement after about 11th April
The moans of joy and enthusiasm when eating those melons made me laugh so hard 😂
Wow how about that it’s 14th of may today and I’m about to plant some sugar baby watermelon 🍉 so I came here to se what Charles is saying 😎👍🏼
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.
You are very welcome
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 👍
So nice thanks Peggy!
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.
I love seeing you enjoy the "fruits of your labour"!
This made me yearn for summer.
Me too!
Thank Charles for all your video's and positive NoDig information.
You are very welcome Robert
I never knew a polytunnel worked in the summer! Incredible. You teach me something every time.
In cool summer maritime climates you need some kind of greenhouse for heat loving crops.
He had a particularly hot summer for his region and he wasn't able to harvest until August. That year he might have been able to harvest an outdoor crop in September... But many years that variety might have never produced an outdoor crop at all.
I like that you show the progress of these plants in a single video. Thanks.
I really appreciate your videos! There is such a simplistic joy that emanates from you, it is rather tangible from your videos. I loved the proud comment toward your watermelon plant that it hasn't been fertilized except for the compost at the beginning of planting. That really ignited something in me! I love gardening & feel extremely blessed at all the Lord brings forth when I am a good steward of what He has given to me. I learn so much from you. I look forward to all that my garden will produce this year!
Lovely to read this Stephanie.
Plants like gratitude! 💚💚
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!
I love watching people grow things that are in very different climates then I'm in. I live in central Florida USA. I'm worried about my plants not burning up in July and August. I'm waiting on my melons to ripen. Tomatoes get so hot they won't fruit. They are more of a spring and fall plant. However bananas, oranges, lemons, limes and others grow great.
Thanks.
Glory to Ukraine. God Bless Ukraine and her people. 🇺🇦🇺🇸
Amazing to hear this compared to the UK! Thanks for sharing
Hello Followers
pay attention Charles is seed saving has he opens up each melon. Brilliant 👏
I am currently enjoying this Charles. Great video.
Hi Charles, just wanted to drop by and say that your videos are amazing! I'm really impressed with how informative and educational they are. Your passion for gardening really shines through, and I appreciate all the hard work you put into creating such quality content. Your video has definitely inspired me to try some new gardening techniques in my own backyard. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us, and keep up the great work.
That is great, and thanks for your lovely comment 💚
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!!
Great to hear! Interesting about watermelons
too much heat ,had the same problem, all the flowers burned before they got pollinated, got better late summer
On my dad's farm, growing melons is a requirement. People come for miles to get the best freshest melons. We love them.
Charles, are you relation to Sir Hugh Dowding? I love the British Spitfire, without it the u.s. Mustang would not have been modified.
Ohh God! I miss summer months so much! :) Greetings from Ireland!
Wonderful how that melon plant that the top snapped off and leaves turned brown and brittle,
gave you delicious melons without green leaves.
Some did not pass the smell test and were not ready. You are a hoot.
I enjoy all the learning and laughter and appreciate all you do. Time lapse is great. Thumbs up to your editor. Edward? USA Connecticut Valley Zone 6 b
Thanks and this one was Alessandro Vitale @spicymoustache
Excellent video thank you! I learnt more in 30 minutes than I have in 2 years 👌👍
You give me hope. I will not give up on my melon dreams.
💚 good
wow, what an explosion of summer in the middle of a very cold and grey march day!
Nothing like getting on it and pruning some melons 👍
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.
So cool!
The filming of this is absolutely stunning, as is the content!
This came at exactly the right time as I want to grow these this year
Haven’t watched the video yet, it just popped up on my phone as published but to your comment above (ie where it was watched 2 weeks before published) just want to say ”How organised are you!” 😂 My videos are more “spontaneous” shall we say 😉 Thank you for ALL of your efforts Sir!
😊 cheers Tracey
As I mentioned in one of my comments last year Charles, I've had major success with both a red and yellow variety watermelon. I planted them between my weed matting joins and just let them do their thing along the ground (bar a little guided direction from time to time). I loved every minute, from planting to cropping, i even managed to sell some to local Thais, who were well impressed with my no dig garden. A welcomed video charles, I am really looking forward to Homeacres (UK) spring and summer through your eyes 🙏🙏🙏.
Brilliant!
Aáa
Aáa
Wspaniałe melony i arbuzy. Gratuluję. Życzę wszystkiego dobrego. Pozdrawiam.💚
Charlie!!! What a wealth of Information You Are... 💯❤️ God Bless You Kind Sir 🙏☺️
Thank you Bobby
Great video. I love your setup. I been doing the same "string trick" for years with my squashes and they love to climb up into the trees.
Let's get cooking.
Nice!!
Didn't think I love Charles more, then he starts eating melons with a child-like delight we can all appreciate as gardeners! Thanks for the wonderful video and information!!!
So nice of you
Have any Canadians had success growing melons? I’m in zone 3A I believe.. I have a greenhouse but haven’t tried growing any in there yet… maybe I should start my seeds indoors now and try it out!
Love your videos Charles!
Try Farthest North variety
Watermelons were my favorite "fruit" but probably for last 25 years, if not more I haven't enjoyed them. Watermelon of 5-6 kg used to be big, but for past 25 years you can only buy those huge ones that can go up to 20kgs and they don't have sweetness or taste as those that I remember when I was kid. So last year I manage to get seeds of Sugar baby melon, it can go up to 3kg in size and out of the whole garden that was literally my baby. When I tasted it it was more joy than I could imagine, I was again that little kid that loved watermelons.
So I can really understand those smiles tasting all the melons.
Nice to hear! 💚💚
Nice time lapse on the melons, they are the most fun fruit to grow. I feel like I should comment on the string you use. A few years ago I used that plastic string and found when I went to use it the next year it was shedding tiny fibres off it as I handled it, you could see it quite clearly. Anyways I went back to Jute string just so I'm not contaminating my garden with micro fibres.
Thank you for the info. I'm going to try growing tomatoes up string this year and I just wondered, in your experience, does jute last the whole season? I read online that it takes 1 - 2 years to decompose so I'm guessing it will last the season.
@@HornyKoala Yes it last all season no problem and the only part I see rot is where it touches the ground, most of it's still hanging with dry husks on it the next year. I use the 3 strand jute for tomatoes and where I built a bunch of 3 legged trellis' from branches I then wind some 4 strand around them for heavier veg and fruit like squash and melons. I don't put my string under the root ball like Charles does here as I mature my plants inside before going out to garden but I see why Charles does it because he doesn't want the strings in the way for applying frost cloths on those chilly nights. My plants don't go out till June when it's safe. Good luck and happy gardening
@@royormonde3682 Thanks so much for the response 😃
@@HornyKoala Well... unfortunately I had a different experience and had some tomatoes fall to the ground. That is why I am going to go with plastic this year as charles mentioned the same problem in another video. It might depend on the thicknes of the jute though. I try to use as little plastivc as possible in my garden though. So if someone can recomend a more durable plastic free alternative I would be very happy.
@@anniinglucksdorf960 -->hemp
What a lovely video for a cold winter day! I wasn't planning on growing melons in the PT this year, but maybe...... 😀
After seeing all the melon varieties that you grow, I think I will up my melon game. Thanks Mr. Dowding
😀
Great job having the on the ground and up the string plants to be able to compare outcomes of the different two styles. Nice job!
Charles I've been watching you for years now, and I love the no dig info but I love this harvest and tasting video. You need to do more tastings, love the wealth of knowledge you've given to us. Thank you
So nice of you thanks :)
Sweetest and gentlest gardener ever.❤️
That is kind thank you Eddy
So much fun to watch your enjoying the garden.
Very informative vlog. ❤it. My MN midgets last year were not as tasty, and they went down fast with powdery mildew. Sugar Baby Watermelon and Hales Best cantaloupe were fabulous.
Your video popped up on my recommendations today and when I heard you say Minnesota midget, I perked up and grinned widely. I live in Minnesota and I actually bought those seeds to try this year. Can't wait❤
That is awesome! I am happy it popped up
I reckon the mildew is good.
It helps to pick areas for cutting back where the plant needs some air
It helps to quickly break down the leaves for easy composting
Thanks, good points!
Charles I loved this episode, seeing your real pleasure in the tasting of the melons was great! It now have a craving for melons! Growing up in NY, all I ever heard of was Cantelopes and Honey Dew melons, you've shown so many interesting varieties I'd love to try. We're in the Scottish borders, so if we get a greenhouse or polytunnel we'll certainly give it a try.
Thanks Mary, best of luck in your cooler conditions!
Love the response to tasting, made my mouth warmer! 😋
So glad!
As much as I am a fan of Monty I'm so glad I found your site .As a total novice and only have a garden patch 15 ft by 4 ft!! I have never owned a garden so if you are in my wellies, THIS SITE ROCKS... THANK YOU!!!
So nice to hear, thanks Matthew
I used to grow little Sweetheart Melons in a cold frame (because it was all I had, Toms filled my greenhouse!) they were delicious and their fragrance filled the house while they sat in the fruit bowl ! Thank you for another really interesting video.
Brilliant man!
Few things better than a perfectly ripe melon.
I bought 4 random melon plugs last year to plant outdoors under sweetcorn, 3 of them although growing profusely didn't produce any fruit at all, but the last one produced 13 of the sweetest melons I've ever tasted, the closest picture match I could find was a charentaise, although the flesh was yellow, I should have a greenhouse up in time for this season and your string method looks brilliant!
How amazing!
Ooh, I can almost taste how sweet these were!
Best gardening video I've watched in ages. I grow melons every year, some years good, some not so. But I have learnt so much from this. I'll defo be trying the up the nylon string tip and the Minnesota midget. Thank you 😊
great!
I needed this, thank-you. Growing melons for everybody this year.
Midsummer now - How many times can I like this video? How many times have I watched it? Melons are now the size of tennis balls and I'm thrilled every time I see them. Thank-you!
beautiful garden , thank you
Why are you looking like you are not well? You are Awesome gardener. Absolutely beautiful videos.
I am fine thanks, sorry to be looking poor, I did have Covid during the July sequence
@@CharlesDowding1nodig Wishing you good health and looking forward to many more such videos. They are quite an inspiration.
bring on summer!
Just listening brings peace! Much success to you!
That's good to know and thank you
Beautiful and wonderful,thanks Charles !!
"Minnesota Midget" is netted like a tiny cantaloupe, which it is. "Ogon" is the striped melon and is from Japan. I grow both here in our high desert climate in Utah. Almost too much heat! Tons of small personal melons to share!
Thanks so much!
This guy is a blessing!
You make the most amazing and super informative videos. Thank you
Glad you like them!
When you cut into the Minnesota Midget, I could almost smell it. It looked marvelous, Mr Dowding.
Nice to hear!
Beautiful work
I wish I’d grown some last year with that heat we had! I don’t have a greenhouse yet but I think they’d have coped outside last year!
So excited to get my melons going this year!
You can pickle the melon rinds - they become delicious!
Nice to know!
great video charles
this is awesome, please do more topics like this
My mouth is watering 😅! Thank you so much for the hard work and sharing with us ❤
This is my first time watching. I'm a Gardner, fairly new about 5 years. This was delightful and so informative you just got a new subbie❤❤❤❤!
That's great Simmie, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Now this has given me some good ideas
Think I'm going to try this in my greenhouse
Have fun! And I'm intrigued how you found the link to watch this? Because we have it still as 'unlisted' and not public! Somehow, it is reaching a few people, but I want to publish it in about 10 days time because we have other videos first.
Charles, this is just the video I needed on this dreary and very cold March day! Thank you for your work and putting a smile on my face. So much passion, knowledge and joy out of gardening and connecting with homegrown food. ❤
I tried melons for the first time a couple of years ago (Prescott Fond Blanc and Five Dessert) and loved it - my small greenhouse doesn’t allow for much more than one or two melon plants but I can’t wait to start these again this year.
Have you ever had any success growing melons outdoors, particularly as our summers are getting hotter?
Thank you and love from South Wales!
So nice thanks. No joy with outdoor melons!
I’m growing Five Dessert again this year from seeds saved from three years ago (grown outdoors over weed fabric) AND from the original seeds saved from Real Seed Company. Both have have germinated well. I only got one big healthy melon from each plant but they were absolutely delicious which is why I’m trying again this year for outdoors. Last year I grew Minnesota Midget outdoors up a trellis but the heatwave sun scorched the leaves, flowers and fruit and none set. Trying again this year indoors and out. But Five Desserts, although bigger, really were delicious.
@@amandar7719 hi Amanda, I grew Five Desserts as well in 2021. They grew well but the best melon for flavour was the Prescott Fond Blanc from Realseeds - so sweet and delicious. I recommend trying next year!
@@bethanmae Will do! Thank you for the recommendation! 🙏🏻👍🏻
Your joy after eating the Ogen melon😂 I felt it in my core. I know the feeling completely 💚
Just a tip, if u have a dog and grow melons. Make sure they can't meat eachother. Our dog ate more melons than us this year 😅
I actually push lightly on the stem and see if it slips loose. I've found that taking sooner results in unripe or less ripe fruit that's unappealing with sweetness and texture not being ideal. It's disappointing. My melons are quite a bit bigger so I have to support them vertically or they'll pull the plant off the trellis. Anyway, I enjoyed the tour and respect the patience in producing a video over the long period.
great video very indepth charles and shout to spicymoustach. that guy is also a legend
Indeed!
I sadly missed this video 3 months ago when I was planting my melons and water melon seedlings. You have given me plenty to think about and useful advise for next year. I was also wondering when mine will be ripe, so you have helped me so much in that respect. I am growing on the ground, outdoors, the southern Spanish climate helps, temperatures hitting 40ºC some afternoons. I have five great looking large watermelons but only two sweet melons. Many thanks Charles, you have given me so much useful advice the last year or so, even though our climates differ so much.
Nice to hear Stacy and your climate sounds good for melons!
Bravo! Charles, you are so inspiring and your passion is Larger than Life. I am ready to put seeds into the ground. Thank you for sharing. Cheers!
We were watching this in our allotment earlier - very useful! :)
I’ve just grown watermelon in the backyard for the first time this year in Sydney, Australia. I have one beautiful watermelon and an ocean of vine. This vid has certainly given me ideas, including cutting the tips from the vine after the fruit. Thank you! Next year I might have two!
Thanks a good start for you! Even in Sydney, they might benefit from extra heat, I keep hearing about cooler than usual weather in Southeast Australia, I hope that you have enough hot weather to ripen that one nicely
Awesome!! I treated myself to some melon seeds to try out this year. Now I can't wait to sow them!
Fantastic Vid, thank you! LOVED Charle's expression when he tasted the Ogon melon, ha haa!!
I can still taste it Wendy!
Thank you, never planned melon before, will try it.
Congratulations!!!!!
Great video, Charles. I love growing watermelons and melons. I would like to grow more of the different melons in the future.
Great advice🙂love your shows
Thanks so much Stephen
Great video Charles! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.😁
You really let your personality shine in this one! Best video yet! The way you laugh and get so excited over the taste of the melons has me ready to get planting!
Ah thanks and I wish you a sweet harvest
@@CharlesDowding1nodig wow! A response from the master himself! And here in Kentucky I grow a ton of watermelons every year to donate to kids summer camps and local churches for picnics. I grow Georgia Rattlesnakes ... the big mamas! I also grow all sorts of cantaloupe from around the world. That midget one is one of my favorites along with Hale's Best. Really love your videos sir!
Lovely to hear this, great work you do
This video is amazing partially because of the past footage leading all the way along!!! You're actually seeing in 'real time' the journey and advice. Must've been difficult to edit - well done! 😀 Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes it takes some work.