DIY Network

Something in Common Something in Common From "Fresh from the Garden" episode DFFG-105

You wouldn't think melons and okra have much in common but they do. Melons and okra love the heat: that's why they are gardeners' favorites. That, and the fact they taste great and are the main ingredients in many family dishes. Here, learn how to grow these tasty garden treats....

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	You wouldn't think melons and okra have much in common, but they do. We have tips to help you make the most of both crops.
	Till the soil and mix in a fertilizer with a 10-10-10 formula -- that is, 10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus and 10 percent potassium.
	You can start seedling transplants in peat pots three weeks before you set them out.
	To start seedlings indoors, sow three watermelon seeds about 1" deep into 3" peat pots.
	Use scissors to thin the seedlings so that you have two plants per hill. You'll typically get two to three melons per vine.
	To help protect the plants from insects, you should cover the bed with a floating row cover.

• Warm-season crops like melons and okra need to be planted after the soil has warmed in the spring and the danger of frost has passed. Because melons and okra thrive in moist, well-drained soil, they make great growing plant companions. They even require the same soil fertility -- 6 to 6.8 pH and the soil is prepared identically.

• There are over 1,200 varieties of watermelon worldwide and at least 50 varieties grown throughout the United States. There are four general categories of watermelon: Allsweet, Ice-box, Seedless and Yellow Flesh.

Materials:

Garden tiller
Watermelon seeds
Wire
Paper towels
Scissors
Garden fork
3" peat pots
Lightweight fabric
Compost
Fertilizer
Grow lights
Lawn staples
Garden hoe
Small hand pruner
Soil thermometer
Watering can
Garden hose

• Watermelons need a full-sun location of about 8 to 10 hours of sunlight. They need warm soil – about 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher to develop. If you plant them earlier in cool or wet weather, the plant may rot.

• To plant directly into the soil, you should sow the seeds into hills. You should till your soil and mix in a fertilizer with a 10-10-10 formula -- that is, 10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus and 10 percent potassium into the soil. Using a garden fork you turn the fertilizer into the soil about 8 to 10 inches. Next, insert a soil thermometer into the ground to make certain the temperature is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. You then use your fingers to press four watermelon seeds 1-inch deep into each corner area of the bed. Planting in the corners will give the vines plenty of growing room. After covering the seed with soil, lightly mist them with water.

• If you live in cooler climate, starting plants indoors or a greenhouse is preferred and will probably give the best yields. Transplanting works in cooler climates because melon plants can grow well in soil 10 to 20 degrees cooler than they need.

• You can start seedling transplants in peat pots three weeks before you set them out. To start the seedling indoors, sow three watermelon seeds about 1 inch deep into 3-inch peat pots. Next, lightly water the seeds and place them under grow lights. Once the seedlings appear, thin the plants to one plant per pot and then in about another week. The seedlings can be planted in raised beds, mounds or rows.

• Melons need plenty of warmth, both during germination and for their subsequent growth. They need 3 to 4 months of warm weather, rich, fertile soil and plenty of water. The plants need about 1 inch of water per week.

• To keep the melons watered, you can install soaker hoses that are designed to water large areas with minimum evaporation. There are weeping holes along the length the hose saturates the ground with water, supplying water directly to plant roots. If you have readily available water source, you can water using a garden hose or watering can.

• To help protect the plants from insects, you should cover the bed with a floating row cover. Row covers also help increase the soil temperature. Using 6' pieces of wire, you can make four supports for the cover. Next, pull a piece of the lightweight fabric over the supports. With the cover in place, you secure it on one side with lawn staples. On the other side you place bricks so you can easily fold back the cover to maintain the bed.

• Melons produce both male and female flowers, and only the female flowers can set fruit. A mix of male and female flowers usually opens about a week after the first flowers appear. When this happens, be sure to remove the row covers for two or three days to allow pollinating insects access to the flowers. Also be sure to thin the melon seedlings. Use scissors to thin the seedlings so that you have two plants per hill. You'll typically get 2 to 3 melons per vine.