Melon is an important vegetable crop of India. It is native to Iran, Armenia and Anatolia. Muskmelon fruit is rich in vitamin A & C. It consists of about 90% water and 10% carbohydrates. Musk growing states in India include Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. These fruits are the mother fruits of many better-known varieties.
The tractor is an important part of melons fruit cultivation; Thus, we suggest the Powertrac 439 tractor in this farming process. Also, you can use the Powertrac 439 Tractor. Along with this, Powertrac 434 Plus is also the best tractor.
Suitable Methods For Melon Cultivation:-
How to Grow Melons
- Melon or musk is a tender, warm-weather plant. Therefore, melon grows best in very hot to hot climates.
- Sow melon seeds in the garden or transplant 3 to 4 weeks after spring’s last average frost date.
- Start planting melon seeds indoors approx 6 weeks before planting seedlings in the garden. Start sowing seeds indoors in paper pots or biodegradable peat that you can plant directly in the garden.
- Melons need 70 – 100 frost-free days to reach harvest; Cantaloupe will not withstand any frost.
- The tan, reticulated melon, commonly called cantaloupe, is a muskmelon; an actual melon has a rough wart rind.
- Melons with watermelon are called summer melons because they are harvested from mid to late summer.
- Winter melons — which farmers grow during the summer like oysters — are ready to be harvested in late summer and autumn. Winter melons include cassava, Crenshaw, honeydew and Persian melons.
- Honeydew melons, Cantaloupes, musk melons, other summer melons, and winter melons have similar growing requirements.
Where to Plant Melons
- You should plant the melons in full sun.
- Melons thrive well in well-drained, loose, loamy soil rich in organic matter.
- Mix several inches of old compost and commercial organic planting or aged compost mix into the planting bed before planting. Deepen the soil 12 inches (30 cm.)
- Melons prefer a pH of soil 6.0 – 6.8.
- Farmers can grow the melons on mounds, up trellises, raised beds or in flat planting beds.
- You should pre-warm the soil from permeable black garden fabric or place black plastic across the planting region two weeks before planting. Then, when you grow the melon, cut x-shape slits in the covering.
Melon Planting Time
- Sow muskmelon seeds in the garden or transplant in spring 3 to 4 weeks after the last average frost date.
- Start melon seeds indoors approximately 6 weeks before planting them in the garden.
- Begin the seeds in paper pots or biodegradable peat at least 4 inches in diameter that you can set completely in the garden so as not to disturb the roots.
- Growing melons indoors is recommended in areas with short seasons where the soil warms up slowly in the spring.
- Seeds of melon will germinate in approximately 10 days at 65°F (18°C).
- Melons thrive well in air temperatures between 70°F to 90°F (21-32°C).
- If the temperature exceeds 90℉, then flowers fall without bearing fruit for several days.
- Melon requires 70 – 100 frost-free days to reach harvest and will withstand no frost.
- In regions with cool or short climates, grow smaller varieties that come in early to harvest.
Planting and Spacing Melons
- Sow melon or musk seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep.
- Space seeds 18 inches (45 cm) apart in the garden.
- Plant the melons on high mounds or hillsides 24 inches (61 cm) across or wide. The mounds heat up early in the spring and stay warm during the growing season.
- Sow 4 to 6 melon seeds on each mound; When the seedlings have developed three or four true leaves, thin out the 2 or 3 most vigorous shoots on each hill.
- Cut thin plants with scissors to soil level so as not to damage the roots of the remaining plants.
- Space mounds 4 – 6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) apart.
- The height of the mound can range from a few inches to more than 12 inches (30 cm) tall; The mounds will allow the vines to run down the slope.
- Move an inch or two of soil to the top of the mound to create a rim around the mound’s top. The rim will protect plants from heavy rains that can wash out the soil, leaving shallow roots. The rim will also hold irrigation water during hot weather.
Growing Melons on Vertical Support
- Farmers can grow muskmelons and other summer melons from trellises or fences.
- You can also train watermelon vines to A-frame. Bend the two trellis into each other and tie them together at the top.
- A solid fence or a trellis installed against the wall of a building will benefit from the reflected heat.
- Make sure the vertical support is well attached. Heavy fruits can tip a trellis at the end of the season.
- Space weeds 12 inches (30 cm) apart at the base of the vertical supports.
- Train a trellis or other support with elastic gardening tape.
- Melon plants may grow up to 8 feet (2.4 m.) tall or more.
- Most melon vines would support the weight of the melon, but you can use garden netting to support the weeds.
- Melons grown on vertical supports will receive full sun exposure and good air circulation, which can help prevent fungal diseases.
In the farming of the melon, the important factor is equipment, which is more beneficial for melon cultivation. Therefore we recommend the Powertrac Euro 50 tractor. Apart from this, rotavator, cultivator, harrow and many more implements are important.
For more information regarding melons cultivation, stay tuned with us.