[Arid_gardener] Re: Ripe melons

[Olin Miller]

----- Original Message ----- From: <hojo60 at att.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2006 10:06 AM
> Howard, 85303,  hojo60 at att.net
> I am growning the following melons:
>   Early Silver Line Hybrid
>   Bartlett Hybrid
> The articles I read on harvesting advise to stop watering plant 3 
> weeks prior to harvest to encourage high sugar content. Is this 
> timeframe true for melons grown in Arizona also?
===========================================

At this time of the year with our 105-112 deg temps, you need to keep a 
close eye (as in daily) on your melons, continue watering, and pick them 
immediately when ripe.  They will ripen pretty fast is this heat and, if 
you withhold water, they will rot and may be full of sow bugs, earwigs 
and ants.

"The opinions or statements expressed herein are my own and should not 
be taken as a position, opinion, or endorsement of the Maricopa Master 
Gardener Association or of the University of Arizona."

Olin Miller
Master Gardener Volunteer, Maricopa County AZ