Watermelon, honeydew melon, melon pear: there is a large selection of melon varieties. But which varieties are suitable for the home garden?
A fresh watermelon is probably the most refreshing thing there is in summer. And the great thing about it: we can eat as much of it as we want, because the watermelon has only a few calories. This is probably one of the reasons why it has been cultivated by many gardeners in recent years.
However, such a watermelon is pretty big and we don't always manage to eat it before it spoils. And at some point you ate the watermelon too much. So it's just a matter of growing a new melon variety next year. But which ones are actually suitable for cultivation in the home garden? We would like to reveal that to you in this article. We also have some information for you about growing melons.
Important information about growing melons
Growing melons yourself is not difficult at all. At least not if you grow them properly. You have to pay attention to the right cultivation time, location and the right soil.
➥ Time of cultivation:
Melons are best cultivated on the windowsill and then planted in the bed at the end of May so that no frost can harm them anymore. Ideally, you should cover the prepared bed with black foil (garden fleece), because this way the soil is nicely preheated and weeds are also suppressed.
It is also advisable to stretch a foil tunnel over the bed until July/August. When the flowers are in bloom, however, you must remove them again so that insects can pollinate them.
➥ Location:
Melons are one of those fruits that need a lot of warmth to thrive. It is therefore important to have a place in the blazing sun that is also protected from the wind. A place in a corner of the garden or next to a house wall would therefore be an advantage.
When growing melons, always keep in mind that they need enough space, as the plants can spread very quickly. You should therefore calculate an area of one square meter per plant.
➥ Ground:
Melonsprefer soil rich in nutrients and humus. It is therefore best to work ripe compost or stable manure into the soil some time before planting the melons.
Suitable melon varieties for gardening
➤ 1. Cantaloupe:
Of course, not all types of melon are equally suitable for growing in the garden, but you can always opt for the cantaloupe. Suitable cantaloupe cultivars include Charentais, Accent F1, Fastoso F1, Delada F1 and Honeypot F1.
The pineapple variety comes from Hungary and belongs to the cantaloupe melons (a type of cantaloupe melon). The round melons, up to 20 centimeters in size, are very sweet and have red flesh. Outdoors, this variety only thrives in mild weather and in sheltered locations. Otherwise you should prefer the cold frame for cultivation.
➤ 2. Watermelons:
Of course, the watermelon should not be missing among the varieties that are great to grow in our gardens. After all, growing this melon variety always works.
Among the watermelons, the Sugar Belle F1 variety is particularly recommended for the garden. In addition, the Sweet Siberian variety is also convincing more and more gardeners with its sweet aroma and yellow-orange flesh. Furthermore, the watermelon variety Sugar Baby is suitable for European gardens. It's also great for storage.
➤ 3. Honeydew Melons:
The fruits of the honeydew melon Blenheim Orange smell very strongly. The sweet fruits of this melon variety can weigh up to 1000 grams. Even in years that are not too sunny, this variety reliably produces fruit.
The honeydew melon Petit Gris de Rennes is particularly productive, the fruit of which can weigh up to 800 grams and ripen well even under less warm conditions. This honeydew melon has sweet, orange flesh that tastes really fragrant.
➤ 4. Melon Pears:
In addition to the sugar, honey and water melons, there are of course a few other types of melons that you can also dare to grow. The melon pear, for example, produces smaller fruits. The fruits weigh around 700 grams and have a sweet, fruity taste.
Incidentally,
melon pears got their German name because of their appearance. In terms of size and basic color, they have the appearance of a pear. The purple stripes, on the other hand, are far more reminiscenta melon. My reading tip: Melon pear: tips from cultivation to harvest.
➤ 5. Venison or pocket melons:
The white-fleshed fruits of the wild melon or pocket melon are very sweet and grow to an average size of about eight centimeters. They also have a very strong scent, which is why we althy women liked to carry them in their purses in the 19th century. Hence the name pocket melon.
If you want to venture into growing the pocket melon, then you should know that this melon variety is best suited for cultivation under foil or in the cold frame.