- Starting your melon seeds indoors gives you an advance start and possibly an earlier harvest. In ideal growing conditions, where air temperatures are between 68 and 86 F (20-30℃), honeydew melon seeds take 8 to 10 days to germinate. When soil temperatures are around 68 F (20℃), germination takes place in 8 to 10 days. With soil temperatures of 77 F (25℃) or higher, the germination period is closer to three or four days.
- As they take a long time to reach maturity, plant your seeds and your transplants as soon as you can.
- Honeydew melons mature between 65 and 100 days in warm, sunny weather. Plant honeydew melons early enough so that they have enough exposure to warmth and sunlight for their full growth term.
- As the honeydew melons continue to grow, keep the area well-watered and weed-free as this is key to a healthy plant and harvest. Water the plants whenever the first two inches of soil is dry when touched. When watering give each of the plants a long, thorough soak to encourage a deep root structure and ensure there is enough water for the plant to develop healthy fruit.
- As a shallow rooted plant, honeydew melons benefit from regular irrigation. When the soil is dry 2 inches (5 cm) below the surface, water the melons. Each plant requires 1/2 a gallon of water twice a week, increasing to 1 gallon of water twice a week during fruit production.
- Honeydew melons are ripe when their skin is a pale green, sometimes with a faint yellow tinge. When ready to harvest, the melons are removed easily from the vine.
Good harvest!