- 1). Lay 2 to 3 inches of compost or manure on the soil and till it under to a depth of 6 inches. Select a site that receives at least eight hours of sunlight per day and sits at the top of a slope or on level ground, if possible. Avoid low-lying areas because muskmelons are sensitive to cold temperatures.
- 2). Pound the wooden or metal stakes 1 foot deep into the soil. Space the stakes 5 or 6 feet apart. Nail or wire the mesh material securely to the stakes, stretching it taut.
- 3). Plant the muskmelon seeds 1 inch deep in the soil and 14 to 18 inches apart. Plant seeds two weeks after the last expected frost when the soil has warmed. Lay black plastic over the soil two weeks before planting to warm it even more.
- 4). Weave the vines through the mesh as they grow. Side-dress the vines with a nitrogen fertilizer when the plant begins vining, according to package directions. Water the plants weekly or as needed to keep the soil evenly moist.
- 5). Cut strips of fabric 12 inches long and 5 inches wide. Tie these strips to the mesh material and hang developing melons in them. Without support, the melons will drop from the vines before ripening fully.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -