When Is the Best Time to Plant Melons? A Detailed Guide to Sowing Times

SummaryThe time for planting melons in open fields is March to April, and the time for planting melons in greenhouses is around February. The specific sowing time should be decided according to the local last frost date, the meteorological conditions of that year and the cultivation method. Sowing too early will cause seed rot and affect growth. If the sowing time is too late, the plant's growth cycle will be too short, the time to market will be delayed, and this will have a certain impact on the yield and quality of the melons.

Planting Time for Melons

Melons are a crop sown in spring. Generally, open-field planting is done in March to April. If growing in a greenhouse, then it must begin in February. However, if melons are planted too early, the seeds will rot, and even if seedlings emerge, frost will affect their growth. If the sowing time is too late, the plant's growth cycle will be too short, which will delay the time to market and also affect the yield and quality of the melons.

The time for sowing melons should be decided according to the local last frost date, the cultivation method and the meteorological conditions of that year. If sowing in open ground, it is best to choose the 4 days before the local last frost date. Generally, 7-10 days after sowing the seedlings will be complete, and by then the frost will mostly have ended outdoors. For seedling cultivation, it is best to choose one month before the last frost date for sowing. If small arch sheds are used to cover and cultivate melons, the sowing time should be advanced by another 10-15 days or so.

The last frost date in each region differs from year to year. Before sowing, pay more attention to the weather conditions, and also observe the surrounding phenological phenomena, such as leaf growth, the degree of flowering of fruit trees and low temperatures, to ensure the sowing time is timely and reliable.

Methods for Soaking and Sprouting Melon Seeds

Generally, the seeds are placed in warm water at 50-55°C and stirred continuously. When the water temperature drops to 30°C, stop stirring. The soaking time is about 6-8 hours. Then scoop out the seeds and rinse the mucus on the seed surface clean with clear water. Then wrap the seeds well in a wet cloth and place them in a place at 25-30°C for sprouting. Once they have sprouted, they can be sown.

This method can kill the pathogens on the seed surface, and can also allow the seeds to absorb water and promote their germination.

Time for Sowing and Raising Seedlings

If raising seedlings in a solar greenhouse, the time for sowing melons is best controlled to the early to middle part of March. While preparing the seedbed soil and applying fertilizer, also spray an appropriate amount of carbendazim for sterilization and disinfection. After watering the prepared bed, the seeds can be broadcast. Make sure the seeds are spread evenly, to make it easier to transplant them after emergence. To promote seed germination, cover them with 0.5 cm of soil, then cover with a layer of film to ensure the seedbed stays moist. Water whenever the soil dries out.

Generally, for rootstock varieties, it is best to choose white-seed pumpkin Tianzhen No. 1 seedlings with a seedling age of about 30-40 days. Their sowing time should be 4-5 days later than the melon seeds.

Time for Transplanting and Planting Out Melons

Generally in late April, when the low temperature at 10 cm reaches above 15°C, the melons can be planted out. This is mostly done on the surface of the ridges by opening furrows, placing the seedlings, watering, covering with soil and setting up small arch sheds.

The bottom width of the small arch shed is best controlled at 2.0-2.2 m, the shed height controlled at above 80 cm, and the shed length preferably not exceeding 30 cm. A layer of film should be covered over the arch shed. After the plants have recovered from transplanting, pay attention to ventilation inside the shed to prevent the temperature from being too high and burning the seedlings. Melons mostly grow by trailing their vines on flat ground, and the planting density is best controlled at around 2200-2400 plants.