Question: What Is The Best Fertilizer For Melons

Table of Contents

Ohio State University recommends a phosphorous- and potassium-heavy fertilizer for melons, with a mixture of 5-10-15 or 10-15-20 to enhance growth, flowering and fruiting All melons should start with a foundation of organic compost and starter fertilizer, then get a side dressing of synthetic or organic fertilizer when Jan 5, 2011.

When should I fertilize my melons?

Just before or as soon as the vines begin to run, a second application of nitrogen is advisable. This is usually 30 to 60 days from planting. Use a 33-0-0 fertilizer at the rate of ½ pound (227 g.) per every 50 feet (15 m.)Apr 19, 2021.

How do you fertilize a melon plant?

To encourage strong growth, blend 4 to 6 inches of composted manure into your melon beds prior to planting. Then add a balanced organic fertilizer (such as a mixed blood meal/bone meal product) every 3 to 4 weeks.

What is the best organic fertilizer for melons?

Organic fertilizers such as compost and well-rotted manure make excellent fertilizer for cantaloupes. The elements aren’t as concentrated in organic fertilizers so you have to use about 1 pound for every 4 or 5 square feet. Compost and aged manure improve the composition of the soil as well as the fertility.

What nutrients do melons need to grow?

Role of Nutrients by Melon Growth Stage Nitrogen and potassium – promote strong early growth. Phosphorus – maximize root development. Calcium – boost root and leaf growth. Boron, zinc, manganese and molybdenum – ensure good shoot growth.

Is Epsom salt good for melons?

Flat, tasteless melons can be due to a lack of magnesium or boron in the soil. It has been found that such fruits can be sweetened by giving them a dose of Epsom salts and borax. For home garden use, use about 6 1/2 tablespoons of Epsom salts and 3 1/2 tablespoons of household borax, all added to five gallons of water.

Is bone meal good for melons?

Watermelons are heavy feeders across-the-board, so they appreciate a well-balanced fertilizer, and/or tons of rich, diverse, homemade compost. A bit of blood meal (nitrogen), bone meal (phosphorus) and greensand (potassium) at the time of planting should do the trick if you’re an organic gardener.

Is chicken manure good for melons?

When incorporated correctly, manure helps to replenish the soil’s nutrients while promoting aerated, water-retentive soils. These benefits are especially promising for melons, which demand well-drained, fertile soils for healthy development.

Do melons need a lot of water?

While melon plants are growing, blooming, and setting fruit, they need 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Keep soil moist, but not waterlogged. Reduce watering once fruit are growing.

How do you take care of a melon plant?

Growing melons require about an inch or two of water per week (that’s about 2.5 to 5 cm.). Make sure you don’t forget to water them when there are periods of no rain. Also, they should be fertilized every two to three weeks. When the plants begin to bloom, don’t worry if the flower wilts and no melons appear.

Is calcium nitrate good for melons?

YaraLiva® Calcium Nitrate is the top choice for fertilizing melons crops. Nitrate-nitrogen promotes the uptake of other nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Calcium nitrate provides 100% water-soluble calcium. Calcium content in the fruit is key for fruit firmness and quality.

What is the best soil for melons?

Melons grow best on well-drained, sandy loam soils, with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Soils with a pH less than 6.0 will produce plants with yellow foliage that set few or no fruit. You can improve your soil by adding well-rotted manure or compost in spring or fall.

How do I increase the yield of my melon?

Increasing Melon Yield Nitrogen. Nitrogen is key for growth and development. Potassium. Potassium and nitrogen are key elements in boosting leaf growth and maximizing yield potential. Phosphorus. Calcium. Magnesium. Micronutrients.

What is DAP fertilizer?

Di-ammonium Phosphate popularly known as DAP is a preferred fertilizer in India because it contains both Nitrogen and Phosphorus which are primary macro-nutrients and part of 18 essential plant nutrients. DAP is manufactured by reacting Ammonia with Phosphoric acid under controlled conditions in fertilizer plants.

Do melons like coffee grounds?

Coffee Grinds as Melon Fertilizer? Old coffee grinds really do enhance the flavor of many crops, cantaloupe, tomatoes, melons. No study to prove it, but it is said you get bigger melons if you use coffee grinds. As they break down, the grinds will release nitrogen into the soil.

Should I fertilize my watermelon plants?

Watermelons need a lot of nutrients, and they want a phosphorus-based and potassium-based fertilizer rather than more nitrogen in order to encourage vine growth. After the plants have begun to flower, however, switch to a fertilizer with less nitrogen to encourage flowers and fruit.

How do I make my watermelon sweeter when growing?

According to Modern Farmer, you should add four to six inches of composted manure to the planting bed before you plant for maximum sweetness. They state that watermelon is at its sweetest point when the vine shrivels at the fruit or the fruit detaches on it’s own.

Should I put straw under my cantaloupe?

Placing developing melons atop a bed of straw, plastic sheeting or smooth piece of wood diminishes the chance for fruit rotting when in direct contact with wet soil. Ultimately, it’s an optional step as melons won’t rot atop the ground if the soil isn’t soggy and air circulation is good.

What kind of soil do cantaloupes like?

Before planting your cantaloupe, use a loamy soil enriched with well-rotted compost or aged manure to make sure your melon has plenty of nutrients to feed on throughout its growing season. Cantaloupes prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil, between 6.0 and 6.8 pH.

Is Miracle Grow good for cantaloupe?

If you have access to fresh manure, it has high nitrogen levels which cantaloupe love because it makes the soil warm. You can dig down in your soil and put several inches of manure and cover it with Miracle Grow Graden Soil.

Does cantaloupe need fertilizer?

Cantaloupe plants can be fertilized again after the blossoms appear. At this point, you want to use a fertilizer with much less nitrogen than phosphate and potassium. If using a granular type fertilizer, choose a formula such as 5-10-10 or 2-12-12. More potassium and phosphate will help you plants develop fruit.

What can I feed my cantaloupe plant?

For seeded or transplanted cantaloupes, apply 100 to 150 pounds per acre of a pop-up fertilizer such as 10-34-0 to enhance early growth, especially in cool/cold soils early in the spring. Pop-up fertilizer should be banded 2 to 3 inches to the side of the row and 2 to 3 inches below the seeds or roots.

What fertilizer should I use for melons?

How do you put fertilizer on watermelon?

Fertilize the watermelon plant once per week with liquid soluble fertilizer. Start with a 20-10-20 measurement of fertilizer until the flowers of the plant bloom. Then switch to a 20-20-20 fertilizer for the rest of the season. Follow specific product instructions regarding dilution and application rates.

What is the best fertilizer for cantaloupe?

What is the best organic fertilizer for watermelons?

Best Fertilizers for Watermelon Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Flower & Vegetable. Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Flower & Vegetable is an excellent choice for all of the stages of its life cycle. Dr Earth Premium Gold All Purpose Fertilizer. J R Peters Jacks Classic All Purpose Fertilizer.

What fertilizer is high in phosphorus and potassium?

Fertilizers that are high in phosphorus include mushroom compost, hair, rock phosphate, bone meal, burned cucumber skins, bat guano, fish meal, cottonseed meal, worm castings, blood meal, manure, and compost.