How to Grow Melons in Your Greenhouse
Written by Matt W on 9th Dec 2024.
How to Grow Melons in Your Greenhouse: Your Complete Growing Guide
Growing melons in your greenhouse offers a taste of summer sweetness, even in our British climate. These tender fruits need warmth and care, making a greenhouse the perfect growing space. With the right setup from our best selection of wooden greenhouses in the UK, you'll soon be picking your own home-grown melons.
Starting Your Melon Growing Journey
Mid-April through May marks the prime time for sowing melon seeds. Charentais and Galia varieties suit greenhouse growing brilliantly. If garden space feels tight, a mini greenhouse works perfectly for getting your seeds started. Begin by soaking seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours, then plant individually in 3-inch pots of good quality seed compost.
| Growing Stage | Temperature | Water Needs | Care Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seed Starting | 20-22°C | Keep just moist | Check daily |
| Young Plants | 18-20°C | Regular watering | Start support |
| Fruiting Stage | 21-25°C | Deep, measured | Support fruits |
Creating Perfect Growing Conditions
Your melons will thrive with proper preparation. Consider grow using a raised bed in your greenhouse for ideal root conditions. Mix rich organic matter into well-draining soil, aiming for a texture that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged.
- Keep soil warm at 21-25°C
- Ensure good air movement
- Set up sturdy plant supports
- Feed weekly once fruits form
- Monitor humidity levels
- Protect from temperature swings
Choosing Melon Varieties for Your Greenhouse
The right melon variety makes all the difference when growing in UK greenhouses. Each type brings its own qualities, from quick-growing cantaloupes to sweet, fragrant charentais. Let's look at varieties that work well in British growing conditions.
| Variety | Growing Time | Size | Best Features | UK Growing Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cantaloupe 'Halona' | 65-75 days | 1-1.5kg | Early ripening, orange flesh | Good for short seasons |
| Honeydew 'Honey Bun' | 80-90 days | 1.5-2kg | Pale green flesh, sweet | Needs consistent heat |
| Charentais 'Savor' | 70-80 days | 0.7-1kg | Intense flavour, compact | Perfect for small spaces |
| Asian 'Ogen' | 60-70 days | 0.5-0.8kg | Early cropping, crisp flesh | Good greenhouse starter |
For first-time growers, 'Ogen' or 'Halona' offer the best chance of success. These varieties cope well with British summer variations and ripen relatively quickly. More experienced gardeners might try 'Honey Bun' or 'Savor' for their exceptional flavour.
Plant spacing affects yield quality. Give each plant at least 60cm of space, using vertical supports to make the most of your greenhouse room. Keep temperature steady - these varieties need warmth but not extreme heat to develop their best flavour.
Caring for Your Growing Plants
As your plants grow, proper support becomes essential. A cold frame helps young plants adjust before their final planting. Train stems up string supports, removing side shoots to channel energy into fruit production. Pinch out growing tips when plants reach the greenhouse roof.
Harvesting Your Greenhouse Melons
Picking melons at peak ripeness brings the greatest satisfaction. Watch for fruits to stop growing larger and develop their sweet scent. The skin changes from green to cream or yellow, depending on your chosen variety. A gentle tap should sound hollow when ready. Most plants provide melons over several weeks.
Good ventilation prevents common issues. Open greenhouse vents early on warm days and keep air moving. Water deeply but less often as fruits develop - this concentrates the sweetness. Remove any yellow leaves promptly to maintain healthy air flow.
Support growing fruits with gentle care. Make slings from soft string or netting, giving each melon space to grow. This prevents stem damage and ensures even ripening. Keep your greenhouse atmosphere just right through careful watering and ventilation.
Learning how to grow melons in your greenhouse brings rich rewards. With attention to these basic needs, you'll soon master the art of growing these sweet summer fruits.