Search for my post on "starting melons early". This is how I did it last yr. The system I used last yr would likely work in the Imperial valley starting now but that area is much warmer than most of CA. More importantly, it is sunnier, and sunshine is what you need to warm the soil.

Any system that relies on sunshine will have the potential to overheat. But melons will stand a lot of heat. I've never seen any evidence of overheating damage. I started mine about March 1 last yr, about 6wks before ave last frost. If you get lots of sun, you could get them up and growing starting now. But at some point you will need to remove the poly. At that time the ambient temps are going to need to be warm enough to sustain growth, 80/50F is about minimum.

My early planted hill (of a late variety) last yr had melons from early June until Sept. And would have lasted longer but we had a month of rain nearly every day. The hill ended up 40ft in diameter.

I haven't thought too much about what I'll do this yr. Probably will start them about April 1, which would likely be a better time for you also.

The Fruitnut

I agree with fruitnut - starting melons earlier than April might be logical for the growing area around Salton Sea in Imperial Valley. That area grows a lot of our winter vegetables as well, due to its ambient temperature influenced by "the sea" itself. The surrounding area is desert with high temps in summer to 120 degrees or more, but the water helps to keep temps within growing limits.

Most of California has fewer really cold temps, and likewise few warm ones. In my zone 9/10, I try traping heat to get such crops to ripen successfully (plastics, concrete blocks, etc.). Sometimes it work, sometimes not.

But FWTW - I would wait until April to plant melon, pumpkins, corn, as well as peppers and tomatoes.

Bejay

Thanks so much for your response. I found your "Starting Melons Early" post, Fruitnut, and it was really helpful, as well as the other posts. Our temps here are 60/45 now, usually sunny, so it might be worth a try starting a few patches in the way you described, and see how they do. I was also given a few wall'o'waters, and might try them as well. For me, half the fun of gardening is trying new crops and experimenting with different ways of growing them.
Usually there are large tomato, squash, and pepper plants for sale in one gallon pots in March in the local nurseries. I usually buy one or two for my garden, and it would be nice to get the same head start on melons.

Alta: I agree, doing things the same ole way gets boring. There is very little to lose trying a hill or two of melons extra early. You can always replant later and still be ahead of the game. With current temp of 60/45F and sun, you can get the melons up in less than a week.

Good luck!

The Fruitnut

The University of Missouri has a great, free to download, 20 page document on growing melons and watermelons under plastic off season, with lots of great pictures. They include a number of heirloom melons in their information. ItÂs interesting what Google will turn up.

Here is a link that might be useful: High Tunnel Melon and Watermelon Production