Watermelon is one of the most refreshing fruits of summer, making it a popular option for gardeners to grow during the peak of summer. Instead of monocropping watermelon, it is best to opt for companion planting. Many gardeners wonder if it is ideal to grow watermelon alongside Cantaloupe.
Such cultivation offers advantages, including natural pest control, better nutrient availability, and more efficient use of garden space. However, it is important to choose the right companion plant. This article will discuss the compatibility between watermelon and cantaloupe.
What Are the Benefits of Companion Planting With Watermelon?
Before deciding if cantaloupe can be planted alongside watermelon, it is equally important to understand why companion planting matters. It is scientifically proven that growing watermelon with the right companion plants provides many benefits to the garden.
Companion planting helps deter insect pests, reduce the risk of fungal diseases, and suppress weed growth. Such planting attracts beneficial insects and pollinators. It also helps improve watermelon’s resistance to Fusarium wilt, which can kill plants.
Companion planting also helps use the garden more efficiently. Monocropping does not offer this advantage to the gardeners. Finally, companion plants can improve soil quality, thereby enhancing soil nutrition and microbial activity.
Can Watermelon and Cantaloupe Be Grown Together?
Watermelon and cantaloupe are part of the same family, which means they tend to attract similar pests and face similar disease issues. For gardeners who want to grow both crops at the same time, it is best to plant other crops between their rows. This type of intercropping is one way to grow cantaloupe alongside watermelon.
Things to Consider While Planting Watermelon and Cantaloupe Together
These are a few factors to consider while planning to grow watermelon and cantaloupe together.
Space Requirements and Vine Growth
Both are vining plants that spread out as they grow. Cantaloupes require at least 3 to 6 feet between the centers of each plant. Watermelon needs even more room, with 6 to 8 feet or more between plants, depending on the variety. If the vines are allowed to sprawl, then even more spacing becomes necessary.
When using mounded hills for planting, place one or two plants per hill and maintain the spacing as mentioned above. Cantaloupe can be grown on a trellis, but watermelons should remain on the ground.
Pollination
Since both crops rely on bees for pollination, planting them too close together can lead to competition among pollinators. This can lower fruit production for both plants. To avoid this problem, spread flowering plants throughout the garden bed rather than grouping all of one crop in a single area.
Extra flowering plants can be added nearby, and you can also consider planting a pollinator-attracting strip with flowers like phacelia, borage, buckwheat, or native wildflowers. This will increase pollinator visits.
Disease and Pest Control
Cantaloupe and watermelon are vulnerable to many similar diseases and pests. Common problems include powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and vine borers. When these two plants are planted near each other, the risk of diseases spreading between them increases significantly.
It is best to choose varieties that have resistance to diseases. Practice crop rotation by avoiding planting any cucurbit family crops in the same soil for two to three years. Infected plant material must be immediately removed and destroyed to prevent disease spread. Adequate airflow spacing helps reduce humidity and supports overall growth.
Using mulch around plants reduces soil splash and helps maintain consistent soil moisture. Row covers can be used early in the growing season to reduce insect vectors, and they must be removed once the pollinators are needed.
Nutrient and Water Requirements
Both watermelon and cantaloupe are considered heavy feeders; therefore, the soil should be fertile and well-drained before planting. Maintaining consistent moisture is important during flowering and fruit set, as uneven watering can lead to problems such as blossom end rot and poor fruit development. When watering, make sure to water at ground level, as wetting the leaves can lead to disease.
Cross-Pollination
Cross-pollination between these two plants does not affect the fruit produced this growing season. However, if the seeds from these fruits are saved and planted the following year, the resulting plants may produce unpredictable offspring.
It is best to isolate the seed stock, which means keeping different varieties at least one to two miles apart or using greenhouses. If not this, there is a high chance of hybrid plants.
Planting Layout
When planting them together, it is important to consider the layout as well. One feasible approach is to alternate rows with buffer space between them. For instance, plant a row of cantaloupe, leave a 6- to 8-foot buffer, then plant a row of watermelon.
Staggering planting and companion flowers can help spread out bloom periods. This also helps extend the bloom period. Using trellises for cantaloupe while letting watermelon spread on the ground helps create physical separation between the two crops' foliage.
Other Watermelon Companion Plants
Lettuce
Lettuce has shallow roots, so this short-season crop does not compete with watermelon for water. This also helps keep weeds away and maintain soil moisture. Lettuce seedlings can be planted at any time during the growing season, spacing them 8 to 12 inches apart. The crop will be ready for harvest in less than 5 weeks.
Radish
Make sure to plant radish seedlings or sow seeds directly into prepared soil in spring or fall. They should be kept about 3 feet away from watermelon rows. These root crops act as traps for aphids, sacrificing their own leaves rather than watermelon plants. Radish plants also help control weeds and repel cucumber beetles in the garden.
Bush Beans
Bush beans’ root systems harbor nitrogen-fixing bacteria that release nutrients into the surrounding soil. They also deter pests and slow down weed growth. For best results, plant bush beans between April and June, spacing them 2 to 3 inches apart and keeping them about 3 feet from watermelon rows.
Carrots
Carrots help deter pests and weeds, and make a good filler crop that maximizes the productivity of garden space. To make the most of the space, they should be planted between watermelon plants. Gardeners should plant carrots about two months after starting watermelons in April.
Onions
Onions grow well in tight spaces and benefit watermelon plants. These plants improve watermelon nutrient uptake. Make sure to plant onion seedlings or sets 6 to 8 inches away from watermelon plants. Onions deter aphids and repel various insects that might otherwise damage the watermelon crop.
Basil
Basil brings a pleasant fragrance to the garden while serving practical purposes. It repels mosquitoes and flies. Plant basil seedlings or sow seeds directly around watermelon plants, leaving about 12 inches between them. Basil leaves can be harvested as needed for cooking or for making pesto.
Conclusion
Planting watermelon and cantaloupe together is not ideal, as they are susceptible to many of the same diseases and pests. There is an increased risk of both crops being lost to disease. A better option is to plant watermelon with companion plants that support its growth rather than compete with it. A right companion plant will contribute to the garden’s overall growth as well.
