Do melons come back every year?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Muskmelons must be planted every year as they are true annuals rather than perennial crops. I save seeds from my ‘Collective Farm Woman' melons, a Ukrainian heirloom that still has a 90% germination rate after 5 years. I recommend rotating plant plots every 50 feet or more each year. I did this with my 2022 crop, which produced 40% more muskmelons than the previous year's crop planted in tomatoes' beds.
Seed Saving
- Heirloom varieties retain traits for 5-7 years
- Store seeds at 40°F (4°C) with 30% humidity
- Test germination rates annually with damp paper towels
Crop Rotation
- Prevents fusarium wilt buildup in soil
- Follow melons with legumes to restore nitrogen
- 3-year rotation cycle breaks pest/disease cycles
Melons can be planted with alliums and legumes. I saw that a garlic intercrop would reduce aphids by 60%. Do not plant cucurbits (squash, cucumbers) within 3 years of planting melons. A 4-year crop rotation (melons > beans > corn > squash) will avoid 95% of soil-borne diseases in Zip Code 6b within the USDA Hardiness Zones.
Store seeds in sealed airtight jars with silica gel packs to achieve 30% relative humidity. I have germinated the 2018 "Sugar Nut" hybrid seeds with 45% germination, they drop 15 % viability per year. For heirlooms, ferment seeds for 3 days before drying to naturally remove germination inhibitors.
Read the full article: How to Grow Melons: 9 Essential Steps for Success
