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Jun 28, 2015 5:33 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Gina
(Zone 9a)
"Man does not live by bread alone..
Hi Everyone,

Well, our watermelon is setting fruit! Hurray!

I'm so excited! I've never grown watermelon before, so I wanted to ask if there were any tips or tricks involved. I have heard to place a barrier between the soil and fruit to keep bugs at bay. Anything else I ought to know? I heard boron will sweeten the fruit... Ever heard of that? And, if you have, is there any ordinary household material that I could use, e.g. Eggshells (calcium), coffee grinds, or banana peel?

The fruit seems to almost double in size overnight!

Thanks in advance, ATP! Smiling


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Jun 28, 2015 6:13 PM CST
Plants Admin
Name: Rob Duval
Milford, New Hampshire (Zone 5b)
Peppers Region: New Hampshire Vegetable Grower Daylilies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Level 1
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I give mine the space they need. I grow mine on the ground. I don't give them extra boron (or anything else for that matter outside of regular ferts). They seem to do fine. I dunno...maybe there is something more I could be doing to increase my yields, but I've found they grow pretty well if they get the room, light and water they need.
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Jun 28, 2015 6:55 PM CST
Southeast US (Zone 7b)
Birds Organic Gardener Permaculture Vegetable Grower Dog Lover Keeps Goats
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Congrats!!

I never use anything but barnyard fertilizer on my melons.

Don't use the plastic under your melons as it can hold water and cause rot which is what happens when they are laying on the smooth dirt, if your dirt is big enough clods where it will allow for air flow under the melon it will be fine. Thumbs up

Put some pine needles, hay, yard clippings, or even some small twigs under the melons but don't use anything that will retain or hold excess moisture, such as the plastic. Thumbs up


I noticed yesterday that I have some baby cantaloupe and watermelons ....Yippee!!

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Last edited by GoatDriver Jun 28, 2015 7:22 PM Icon for preview
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Jun 29, 2015 2:01 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Gina
(Zone 9a)
"Man does not live by bread alone..
Thank you everyone! I'll remove that plastic barrier and add straw underneath each melon instead. I'll also just let nature take its course regarding adding anything to the plants. I really appreciate the advise! Thank You!
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Jun 29, 2015 2:05 PM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
Yes, mulch under the plants/fruit will help keep the fruit off the soil. Also, the mulch helps retain some moisture, and melons love that.
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
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