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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

Want to make a heated greenhouse for melons and watermelons

Heruga (7a Northern NJ)

6 years ago

So I want to grow watermelons and melons all year round. I see the fruits in supermarkets even in winter so I can also do it to by growing it in a greenhouse right? But my question is.. will melons and watermelons become perennials if they are in a greenhouse or will they die off once they fruit? I know they are annuals in general but with warm greenhouse conditions and no frost, I wonder if they will live longer. Anyone know?

Featured Answer

oakhill (zone 9A, Calif.)

6 years ago

Once fruiting has occurred, both watermelon and cantaloupe plants will die, even in a heated greenhouse. However, commercial greenhouse growers of these crops simply start new seedlings earlier to replace the first set of plants once they are finished. You can then have year around production.

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Comments (10)

Heruga (7a Northern NJ)
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you. One more question.. if I have a raised bed in a greenhouse can I just sow the seeds directly in the soil or will I have to start seeds in pots first?
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Thanks for replying Suzi. Sounds like you have some great times at the farm. My mom would laugh at me when I told her if I had a dream of being a farmer, she'd say I'd never make it since it's such a hard job. I believe if I grew up on a farm I'd be accustomed to the lifestyle but those dreams of farming were the most peaceful ones I've ever had. So I play Harvest Moon (farming simulator video game) and love it, lol! Last year I joined a community garden group and this year I have a backyard so I'm able to stretch my green thumb :) My mom is surprised my plants are doing so well since she typically kills plants but her mom had a green thumb and could grow anything so maybe I got that from her. She spoke of good times in the village she grew up in with the backyard orchard and garden so she's happy the plants are doing well. But if I have a green thumb for growing I have a black one for picking, lol. I'm researching and talking to people a lot so I can get a feel for when the produce is ready. I can't wait for garden fresh watermelons!!!!! Good luck with your melons!
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oakhill (zone 9A, Calif.)
6 years ago
Your chances of having healthy, vigorous plants are greatly improved by starting in an optimal environment for seedlings in pots, then transplanting into your raised beds, once they are ready for transplanting.
fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
It's going to be difficult to get good watermelons in winter in NJ even in a heated greenhouse. The days are too short and light levels too low in winter. A heated greenhouse is very humid in winter. That's not good for melons. Pests will build up making production difficult. Winter melons would likely be very low in sugars.

What a greenhouse will do is allow a much longer harvest season. By planting in Febr you might be able to ripen a spring crop as early as June, maybe May. Another planting in early summer might allow melons into October. A 6 month harvest would be twice the period possible outdoors.
Heruga (7a Northern NJ)
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks. Now that made me rethink this plan.. just to extend the growing season on my watermelons and melons is it even worth installing a heated greenhouse and spending so much money and time on it
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
fruitnut summed it up. In a heated greenhouse in our lower zones summer crops won't work until mid Feb. Lots of other plants will still grow.

Here are some shots from early February. I am in zone 5b

Outside

Inside
pollywoggle999
6 years ago
That's real impressive Matt. I'm in a zone 5 also and have a western red cedar greenhouse that I'm currently building. I'm wondering how much extended time I would get.
User
6 years ago
Thanks, That sounds like it will be nice. If it's well insulated so no air is escaping you can probably grow from April - Oct
pollywoggle999
6 years ago
Thanks Matt

I usually grow from April to October so I hope it's more than that.( lol )

I've been told I should get about 10 months a year.
User
6 years ago
Yes if heated you can grow year round.

April -Oct is the hottest time of year inside. March is nice too if there's a lot of sun. Rest of the year is mild so you can grow all the cool weather crops.

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