Can you plant watermelon and cantaloupe together?
In this brief guide, we will answer the question, “can you plant watermelon and cantaloupe together?” with an in-depth analysis of whether we can plant watermelon and cantaloupe together?. Moreover, we will also discuss the factors involved in the plantation of watermelon and cantaloupe together.
Can you plant watermelon and cantaloupe together?
Yes, we can plant watermelon and cantaloupe together. Watermelons and cantaloupes can grow and produce well in the same spacious garden bed.
How do watermelon and cantaloupe grow together in a garden?
Both watermelons and cantaloupes are members of the cucumber family, Cucurbitaceae. These annual vines with long, sprawling stems take up a large area in a garden and need lots of sunshine and warm temperatures to produce well. Honeybees pollinate the plants’ flowers, but the pollen from watermelon and cantaloupes do not create hybrid fruits.
What is the major factor in growing watermelon and cantaloupe together?
Space:
The foremost concern in planting both cantaloupe and watermelons in the same garden bed is space. The vines of both melons spread far and will grow wherever they can to access sunlight.
Plants too close together cause unnecessary competition for light, soil moisture, and nutrients.
Dense vegetation may also lead to humid conditions on the soil surface and increase fungal diseases.
If space is an issue, modern varieties include some bush types which mature with short vines and may be more suitable to the dimensions of your garden.
How close can you plant watermelon and cantaloupe together?
Plant melons at the base of the trellis spaced 12 inches apart for cantaloupe or honeydew and 24 inches apart for watermelon.
What can you not plant near watermelon?
Because other members of the Cucurbitae family are all attacked by cucumber beetles, planting watermelons next to these crops is not recommended:
- Cucumbers.
- Summer squash/zucchini.
- Pumpkins.
- Winter squash.
What should not be planted with cantaloupe?
Potatoes should not be planted close to cantaloupes. Be wary of planting potatoes close to cantaloupes as they will compete for sunlight, soil, nutrients, and space in general.
Worst of all, potatoes can attract various species of aphids, and in particular, melon aphids. This pest is known for feeding on cantaloupe and similar plants like watermelon and squash.
Which is easier to grow: watermelon or cantaloupe?
Watermelons tend to be the easiest melons to grow in organic gardens because of their pest and disease resistance.
What can you plant next to cantaloupe?
Companion plants for cantaloupe include corn, pumpkin, squash, collards, borage, oregano, radishes, marigolds, petunias, and beans. Companion planting is based on the idea that certain plants are mutually beneficial when planted nearby.
What grows well next to watermelon?
Cultivate flowering plants next to watermelons in the space between watermelon and cantaloupes. Include members of the aster family, like sunflowers, cosmos, coneflowers, and coreopsis, and herbs in the mint family, such as mint, oregano, thyme, and rosemary to attract sweet bees and other pollinators.
When do you plant watermelon and cantaloupe?
Because watermelons are summer melons, like muskmelons, you should sow seeds into the garden three to four weeks after the last average frost date in spring. Sow seeds outside when soil temperatures are about 65℉. In the low desert of Arizona, the best time to plant cantaloupe is from late February through July.
Watermelons require more heat than other melons. These melons need between 65 and 90 frost-free days to mature.
Can you plant watermelon and cantaloupe near each other?
Watermelons and cantaloupes do not cross-pollinate each other. However, you should expect different varieties of cantaloupes, honeydews, and muskmelons to cross-pollinate each other within close range in the garden.
How much space do watermelon plants alone need?
Watermelons need large space up to 20 square feet per plant. Their vines need room to sprawl, so plant them in a place where they won’t crowd out other crops. Growing the vines in raised rows, known as hills, ensures good drainage and will hold the sun’s heat longer.
How much space does a cantaloupe plant need?
Grow cantaloupe in rows spaced 3 to 4 feet apart or in hills with groups of 2 or 3 plants per hill. Cantaloupes can also be trained on a trellis or fence to save space.
What happens if you plant watermelons and cantaloupes too close together?
Spaced properly, watermelons will thrive. When placed too close together, they will overlap and cause problems for the surrounding fruit plants. Each plant will spread in a circle of around 4 feet. The vine that’s on top will soak up the needed sunlight, leaving the vines below to wither.
What is the major problem in watermelon and cantaloupe gardens?
Pests most often attack melon gardens in large amounts, eating up the delicious fruit. They are a major threat to the melon yields. Here are some ways to control pests from destroying melon gardens.
Other FAQs about Watermelons that you may be interested in.
How to know if watermelon is spoiled
How to tell if a cut watermelon has got spoilt?
Conclusion:
In this brief guide, we have answered the question, “can you plant watermelon and cantaloupe together?” with an in-depth analysis of whether we can plant watermelon and cantaloupe together?. Moreover, we have also discussed the factors involved in the plantation of watermelon and cantaloupe together.
