I'm thinking about planting watermelon and cantaloupe either in raised beds or directly in the ground within a greenhouse setup. If I plant them in the ground, the area tends to be cooler and wetter, while with raised beds, I can control the watering better. The temperatures will regularly reach over 100 degrees, but they will have plenty of water and good airflow. I plan to use 50% shade cloth and a commercial exhaust fan, though it's still quite warm in the sun.
There might be a low chance of groundhog issues, but they would be exposed to pests like whiteflies and aphids, which I plan to manage organically. I'm curious if the heat might actually help keep some of those pests at bay. Although I intend to plant most outside, I want to know if a greenhouse option is feasible in case the outdoor crop doesn't survive.
2 Answers
Watermelon and cantaloupe actually thrive in high temperatures and full sunlight. Just keep an eye out for mildew or diseases, especially in humid conditions. They should be fine in 100-110 degrees if the soil stays moist enough!
I grow melons in temps that hit 100-110 degrees all summer, and I always cover them with shade cloth or plant them under trees to prevent them from getting scorched. It really helps!
Thanks for sharing! It’s interesting how shade cloth changes the game. My plants are struggling in the heat, but I couldn't imagine how bad it would be without the cloth!
That sounds promising! If they can handle those temps with adequate watering, it could really be worth a shot. Maybe using a timer for watering could help too!