Melons a Plenty - Rockmelons & Watermelons

If you already have fruiting trees growing and are regularly picking fresh fruit, then consider adding to the annual planting calendar Rockmelon and Watermelon! This will increase the range of fruiting summer edibles.  Included in this group are the green fleshed Honeydew, traditional orange Rockmelon, large and small red or yellow fleshed Watermelon.

Melons are an annual vine, easy to grow and relatively pest and disease free.  By planting in spring the plants have enough time to grow well through the hottest time of the year.  Choose an open sunny position, well drained soil, and reasonable fertility.  Allow at least 3-4 square metres in a home garden to grow a few melons.

Rockmelon is a compact growing plant and only produces relatively short vines.  The best time to plant is October and delicious fruit is ready to pick between January-February, usually before the wet weather arrives.  The fruit is sweet, juicy and depending on the variety mainly orange in colour. 

A handy tip to remember when harvesting fruit, is to look for the browned off tendril near the fruit and also for a prominent ring at the stalk attachment.  The fruity aroma of the melon will also give it away.

Rockmelon and Watermelon enjoy regular deep watering during dry periods.  It’s important to keep plants moist and not dry out as this will stunt their growth.  Watermelon will take up more space as the vine forms dense growth and the stems get longer.  They can be planted in 50cm circular mounds of 3-4 plants, allow to grow in different directions to cover a grassed area. 

Watermelon fruit is more tolerant of rainy conditions maturing as the vine starts to die off with the tendril turning brown and the fruit will be dull on top, light green-yellow underbelly.  Rich colour of red or yellow inside.

It can be tricky picking when a watermelon is ready, our best tip is to keep an eye on the first tendril coming off the stem near the fruit. This tendril should be brown for best indication it is time to harvest. Whilst this is a guide as each variety is different, the best method is to pick one and eat it!