Monty Don's Outdoor Melon Trial: A Journey through Four Seasons

Monty Don, the renowned British gardener and television presenter, embarked on an outdoor melon trial in his garden back in 2020. His goal was to grow ripe and juicy melons in the unpredictable British climate. Over the course of four seasons, he documented his journey and shared his tips and techniques in his popular BBC show "Gardeners' World". In this article, we will take a closer look at Monty Don's outdoor melon trial, from planting to harvesting, and everything in between.

Season 1: Spring

In the first season of his outdoor melon trial, Monty Don started by germinating his melon seeds indoors. He used a heated propagator and sowed the seeds in small pots filled with seed compost. Once the seedlings had emerged, he moved them to a sunny windowsill and watered them regularly. As the plants grew stronger, he gradually hardened them off by placing them outside during the day and bringing them in at night.

Once the risk of frost had passed, Monty Don transplanted his melon seedlings into the ground. He chose a sheltered spot with well-draining soil and added plenty of organic matter to improve the soil structure. He also erected a simple support system for the plants, using bamboo canes and twine.

Melon seedlings in small pots

One of the challenges of growing melons outdoors in the UK is the lack of consistent warmth and sunshine. To counteract this, Monty Don decided to use a cloche to provide extra protection and warmth for his plants. He also watered them regularly with warm water and fed them with a high-potash tomato feed to encourage fruit development.

Season 2: Summer

As summer arrived, Monty Don's melon plants began to grow vigorously. The cloche was removed to allow for better air circulation and to prevent the plants from overheating. Monty Don continued to water and feed his plants regularly, and he also trained them to climb up the support system he had set up earlier.

Ripe melon fruit on the vine

One of the keys to successful melon growing is controlling the number of fruits that each plant produces. Monty Don decided to limit the number of fruits per plant to three, to ensure that they would ripen evenly and fully. He also removed any side shoots and tendrils that were not necessary for supporting the fruits.

Season 3: Autumn

By autumn, Monty Don's melon plants had produced several small fruits, which were beginning to swell and ripen. However, the cooler temperatures and shorter days meant that their growth had slowed down considerably. Monty Don decided to give his plants a boost by placing large sheets of black plastic around them, to absorb and retain as much heat as possible.

Large sheets of black plastic around melon plants

Monty Don also made sure to keep his plants well-watered and fed, using a balanced liquid fertilizer that contained all the essential nutrients they needed. He also checked the plants regularly for signs of pests and diseases, and removed any affected leaves or fruits promptly.

Season 4: Winter

As winter approached, Monty Don's outdoor melon trial came to an end. The remaining fruits had fully ripened and were ready for harvest. Monty Don carefully cut them from the vines and brought them inside to enjoy. Overall, he deemed the trial a success, having grown several juicy and flavorful melons despite the challenging conditions.

Harvested melons on a table

If you're inspired to try growing your own melons outdoors, here are some tips from Monty Don:

• Start your seeds indoors in early spring for a head start.
• Choose a sheltered, sunny spot with well-draining soil.
• Use a support system to help your plants climb and stay upright.
• Limit the number of fruits per plant to ensure even ripening.
• Protect your plants from cold weather and wind with a cloche or other covering.
• Water and feed your plants regularly with warm water and a high-potash fertilizer.
• Check your plants regularly for pests and diseases, and remove any affected parts immediately.

Monty Don, outdoor melon trial, gardening, British climate, melon growing