Golden Beauty Casaba Melon

 

Soil Preparation:

Prepare soil by removing large weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Dig or plow the soil 8-10 inches deep in winter or early spring. You may optionally apply manure or compost at 50-100 pounds per 1,000 square feet, or 2-4 tons per acre , to build the organic matter content of the soil. Turn the soil over to cover organic material completely. Next, work the soil into ridges or hills 4-8 inches high and 12-14 inches wide. This creates well-draining soil beds. Heavier soils may require higher soil beds. Place rows of muskmelons 6-8 feet apart.

 

Since melons are vining crops, they require a lot of space and are best for larger gardens or lot-sized urban gardens; they may grow in small gardens if vines are trellised and the fruit is supported. Melons grow best in deep, well-draining sandy or sandy loam soil with plenty of organic matter and a neutral pH. Heavy soils with lots of clay may cause smaller sized plants and produce fewer melons.

Planting:

Try not to plant seeds until the soil warms in the spring and all danger of frost is past since melons are warm-season crops and can be easily injured by frost. Black plastic mulch can help to increase soil temperature and give melons an earlier start on growth. To direct sow, plant 6-8 seeds 1-1 1/2 inches deep in hills spaced 2-3 feet apart within rows. Water after planting if soil is dry.

Transplanting, in contrast to direct sowing, may save 10-12 days of harvest time. To transplant, plant seeds in peat pots 2-4 weeks before transplanting. Transplant into the garden before the second true leaf opens ("true leaves" are the first two large leaves that appear before the smaller "seed leaves" appear). After melon plants break through the soil, thin to 2 plants per hill.

 

Planting Depth:	1- 1/2 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	2-3 feet
Between-Row Spacing:	6-8 feet