Melons Seed Starting Tips

Melon seeds will not germinate at a soil temperature below 65°F (18°C). Start melons indoors 4 to 3 weeks before planting out into the garden; sow seed in peat pots in seed starting mix. The indoor temperature should be between 80° to 90°F (27-32°C) until germination. Grow melon seedlings on at 75°F (24°C).

Should I soak cantaloupe seeds before planting?
Do you have to dry melon seeds before planting?
How long do melon seeds take to germinate?
Can I grow melons from their seeds?
Which seeds should be soaked before planting?
How deep do you plant melon seeds?
How many melon seeds are in a hole?
How do you start seeds in egg cartons?
What month do you plant cantaloupe seeds?
Should seeds float or sink?

Should I soak cantaloupe seeds before planting?

Seed Watering Notes: Be careful not to overwater germinating seeds or they may rot. It's best to soak the ground or the potting soil heavily when first planting, then avoid watering again if possible until seedlings emerge.

Do you have to dry melon seeds before planting?

Fresh cantaloupe seeds need to be dried and properly stored for future sowing. Spread the seeds on a sheet of newspaper or paper towels and set them in a warm, airy place to dry. To prevent mold and mildew growth on the seeds, stir them every day to ensure the whole seed is exposed to circulating air.

How long do melon seeds take to germinate?

Seeds germinate in 4 to 10 days at 80°F (27°C) or warmer. Transplant melons into the garden after the soil has warmed to at least 70°F (21°C) for optimal performance. Space plants in the garden 24 to 36 inches (60-90 cm) apart in all directions.

Can I grow melons from their seeds?

You can start to sow your melon seeds from mid-April until the end of May. To start with, soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours to encourage germination and to penetrate the seed. ... Water the seeds lightly whenever the soil looks dry being careful not to over-water them and leave the seeds to germinate.

Which seeds should be soaked before planting?

In the vegetable garden, this means peas, beans, corn, pumpkins and squash; even chard and beets. Smaller seeds — lettuce, radishes, carrots, and the like — are hard to handle once their soaked and don't really need it anyway. Flower seed to soak? Sunflower, lupine, sweet pea, nasturtium take well to soaking.

How deep do you plant melon seeds?

Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 18 inches apart, in hills (or hilled rows) about 3 feet apart. If you have limited space, vines can be trained up a support, such as a trellis.

How many melon seeds are in a hole?

Like most things in gardening, there are always exceptions to this rule of 2-3 seeds per hole. If you're planting large seeds like cucumbers, melons, or pumpkins, you should only use one seed per hole. However, you can still plant seeds close together and then thin them out once they've established themselves.

How do you start seeds in egg cartons?

How to start seeds in egg cartons

Prepare your cartons. First, you'll need to collect your egg cartons. ...
Plant your seeds. Next, fill the cups about half-way with a seed starting mix. ...
Walking on eggshells… Another green option is to recycle not just the cartons, but the eggshells too! ...
Give 'em a drink. ...
Wrap up warm.

What month do you plant cantaloupe seeds?

The cantaloupe or muskmelon is a tender, warm-weather plant. Cantaloupes grow best in very warm to hot weather. Sow cantaloupe (muskmelon) seed in the garden or set out transplants 3 to 4 weeks after the last average frost date in spring.

Should seeds float or sink?

One method to check for seed viability is the water test. Take the seeds and place them in a container of water. Let the seeds sit for 15 minutes. If the seeds sink, they are still viable; if they float, discard, because they probably will not sprout.