CORVALLIS, Ore. — Growing melons in Western Oregon can be challenging, but with the right variety and techniques, gardeners can enjoy sweet success.
"Be discerning when you choose a variety. Select ones that will ripen in the cooler growing conditions of Western Oregon."
Eastern Oregon’s warmer, drier climate makes it well-suited for growing melons. In Western Oregon, however, cooler conditions require more attention to variety selection and cultivation methods, said Heidi Noordijk, metro small farms outreach coordinator with the Oregon State University Extension Service.
“Be discerning when you choose a variety,” Noordijk said. “Select ones that will ripen in the cooler growing conditions of Western Oregon. Look for melons that require a shorter season — about 75 to 100 days from sowing to harvest. It’s a great disappointment to grow a healthy melon plant and end up in September with inedible fruit.”
There are nine types of melons, ranging from familiar varieties like watermelon and cantaloupe to the unusual snake cucumber, which is technically a melon. Melons fall into two main classifications — full slip or forced slip — based on how easily they separate from the vine at maturity. Full-slip melons detach easily when ripe, while forced-slip types require monitoring other signs such as skin color and scent. The seed packet should indicate which type you’re planting.
Melon varieties that have performed well at the OSU Vegetable Research Farm in Corvallis include:
- Superstar
- Dutchess
- Ariel
- Earli-champ
- Sarah’s Choice
- Sugar Cube
For more information, refer to Melons: Cantaloupe, muskmelon, honeydew, crenshaw, casaba, etc.
Tips for growing melons in Western Oregon
- Choose short-season varieties. Select melons with harvest dates 75 to 100 days after planting.
- Plant in full sun. Choose the warmest, sunniest spot in your garden.
- Use well-drained soil. Avoid areas where you’ve grown melons, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, or muskmelons in the past three years.
- Amend the soil. Mix in compost and an all-purpose fertilizer before planting. Side-dress with 5-10-15 or 10-15-20 fertilizer when vines begin to grow.
- Direct sow or use starts. Plant three seeds per hole when soil reaches at least 65°F — usually late May to early June. Sow seeds ½ to 1 inch deep, spacing them 24 to 36 inches apart in rows 6 feet apart. Thin to one plant per mound after sprouting. Alternatively, plant nursery starts.
- Use mulch. Cover the soil with plastic or straw mulch (not hay, which may contain seeds). Cut holes in the mulch to plant seeds.
- Protect seedlings. Use floating row covers to deter pests and retain heat. Remove covers when plants start to flower to allow for bee pollination.
- Water wisely. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses under the mulch to avoid wetting leaves, which can lead to disease. Keep soil evenly moist — about 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Reduce watering once fruit begins to ripen.
- Know when to harvest. Refer to your seed packet for variety-specific harvesting guidelines. Full-slip melons are ripe when they detach easily from the stem. For forced-slip varieties, sniff the skin: a noticeable melon scent indicates ripeness; an overly strong smell suggests the fruit is overripe. Ripe melons also tend to show a more yellow background color.
Previously titled With a few tips and patience, Western Oregon gardeners can grow melons
