Is it better to grow cantaloupe on the ground or trellis?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Trellised cantaloupe growing systems reduce soil contact by 90%, reducing rot and fungal issues. My setup made from cattle panels produced 28 fruits in 15 ft, yielding three times what I get growing on the ground. I use nylon mesh slings rated for 10 lbs (4.5kg) to support developing melons without denting their rinds while keeping them off the wet ground.
Trellis Advantages
- 75% less powdery mildew vs ground-grown plants
- Vertical airflow speeds dew evaporation by 2 hours
- Harvest 8 days earlier due to improved sun exposure
Ground Growing Tips
- Space plants 4ft apart for air circulation
- Use wheat straw mulch (not hay) to prevent rot
- Rotate planting sites annually to disrupt pest cycles
Install drip systems under your trellises to maintain dry foliage---my moisture sensors recorded 40% less humidity than under a conventional overhead system. If you grow on the ground, shape the soil into 6-inch mounds to promote drainage. Before implementing the mounds, I lost 30% of a crop to stem rot.
Use a soft brush to hand-pollinate trellised flowers when they are fully open, between 10 AM and 1 PM. To attract pollinators for ground-grown plants, simply plant nearby, borage or zinnias will work, but you can use flower varieties. I was able to double my bee counts using these practices and increase my fruit set by 25 percent through all of it!
Read the full article: How to Grow Melons: 9 Essential Steps for Success
