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Cleveland Texas

My biggest learning this year was I was taking care of too many plants. I will only plant half of the amount of plants next year. I will not split up the areas where I have my plants. There will only be one patch next year instead of 3. I managed to over water one patch and not enough on the other. Last thing to do is have more patience, one thing I didn't have a lot of.
I would like for everyone to list things they have learned to help out the newer growers for next year.

11/13/2011 9:32:42 AM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

Grow larger plants

Build greenhouses

Use more water

Stop farting around with plants

Use great seeds

Have fun (which my son and I did) growing for the first time

11/13/2011 9:53:37 AM

Muddy Waters

I agree 11 plants was too many,will start with six,& build new greenhouse for kins thinking 60 X 28.NO DEER,NO DOGs,NO CRITTERS,NO Wind or hail damage,aphids,SVBS,etc.& a great growing enviroment.

11/13/2011 10:22:10 AM

formerly RGG

I found my soil was out of balance and that I need to have my soil tested.

I found that I need to use my grow-lights more.

I found that I need to build cold frames to keep my plants warmer in the spring.

I found that I need to keep up with my spray program for as long as a melon is growing on the plant.

I found that foliar sprayed kelp is a great growth stimulator if used properly.

I found that landscaping fabric stops most weeds, allows rooting and plenty of water and air get through to keep plant roots healthy.

I have found I need to grow less plants. Each one takes a fair amount of time and money and I will have better success if I keep it down.I plan on 6 for 2012.

I have found that good drainage is critical and that nearly every successful grower has sandy soil. Raised and leveled beds are great for drainage.It becomes nearly impossible to over water.And a level plant root area is excellent for irrigation as it allows for very even watering of your plants root system.

I have found that hand watering is not practical from several stand points and that an irrigation system is the way to go.

I found that I need to do more to keep my vines from separated from bordering vines.

I found that keeping vine size down works well for me and I will probably go for even smaller controlled vine size for 2012.

I have found that when soil is out of balance, soluble fertilizers such as Miracle Grow will help keep plants healthy and growing.

I have found that I still have a lot to learn.

11/13/2011 10:37:34 AM

Glosta

Watermelon plants don't like scuba lessons.

11/13/2011 1:13:54 PM

formerly RGG

LOL Bry.

11/13/2011 2:31:47 PM

Bethlehem CT

I have found that unlike pumpkins a mature melon plant will not handle weeds growing in the patch. Eventually the weeds win!

11/13/2011 6:04:56 PM

This is a great thread, thanks to those sharing. Hello to a fellow Ct grower. (big moon)

11/13/2011 9:50:25 PM

Ontario

I learned that Melon Growers and the GWG are the best folks anywhere in this crazy giant fruit and veggie hobby!!

11/14/2011 8:26:54 AM

SW Ohio

I observed a few things this year:

You can keep a melon plant in a pot for a long time and still get a decent sized fruit from it.

No matter how tempted you are to set a melon out in wet soil, don't do it.

Drip irrigation is the way to go. The drier you can keep the vines and leaves, the better your plant will hold up later in the season.

A plant that is set out in too cold of temps will sit there and sulk. Once the temps come up, they will take off. A cold frame can really help you set plants out much earlier.

The size of your plant can be controlled by using BBQ skewers to hold the sides close together. I didn't prune anything this year. Once the plants reached the end of their plots, I turned the vines and headed them back the other way.

If you clip the foliage away from the stump area about a foot out, you can see stump problems the minute they start.

Landscaping fabric does a great job keeping out the weeds.

That's all I can think of for now.

11/14/2011 11:13:12 AM

Cleveland Texas

Are there any more? Even if this is your 1st or 2nd year growing there are things that you learned that you would do different next year.

11/15/2011 9:54:02 PM

Muddy Waters

I learned growing a big melon & growing a club is a Blast!GWG is onward & upward!

11/15/2011 10:05:30 PM

I learned I am starting to have hardpan problems
I learned the landscape fabric is great but only good for one season
I learned I need to dig the cold frame out of the weeds, replace the broken glass and use it.
I realized that once again, Deer love to taste melons and I need to fence a couple gardens.
As already stated, weeds will win if you give them an inch and also already stated, I too, have a lot to learn.

11/15/2011 11:03:13 PM

Linden, Mi.,

Mother nature can be a BITCH some years and others be a Friend. Only wish I knew ahead of time. :o)

11/16/2011 2:58:26 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

2011:
Mom Nature has PMS and we are not going to be seeing any drought relief anytime soon...

Listen to my doc. He said 2012 is okay to go play in patch ...so far... heh. heh. heh.

Organize seeds better.

11/16/2011 11:02:45 PM