How to Grow
Select a planting site with rich, well-drained soil and full sunlight exposure. Horned melon prefers clay or loamy soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5, though it is not terribly picky about soils. Choose an area near a trellis or fence to promote climbing.
Plant horned melon seeds to a depth of 1/2 to 1 inch. Leave 18 to 24 inches between groups of two or three seeds. Allow about six feet of space between rows. Sow your seeds in the spring season when temperatures are above 57 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep the soil consistently moist down to about 1 inch to germinate the melon. Germination occurs within two or three weeks.
Water the horned melon slowly and deeply in the morning or afternoon once established. Provide the plant with 1 to 2 inches of water per week, soaking the soil down to about 6 inches. Allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Apply general-use fertilizer with a 4-8-5 or 6-10-10 N-P-K ratio according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Apply organic mulch, such as straw or wood chips, around the base of the plant when the soil temperature is above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps the plant retain moisture and prevents weed growth.
Pick weeds by hand as they appear; this will help prevent diseases such as the cucumber mosaic virus and tobacco ringspot virus.
