Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on WHAV.
It’s not your fault. Blame it on the weather when your muskmelon harvest is small or the fruit is tasteless.
You’ll notice muskmelons lack the usual sweet flavor when the weather is dark and cloudy. Overwatering or excess rainfall as the melons ripen also dilutes the sweet flavor.
Poor pollination explains the lack of fruit. The first set of flowers are all male. The second set are male and female so pollination and fertilization can occur for fruit to develop. Cold rain and cloudy conditions can reduce pollination. Make sure to grow bee friendly plants in your landscape.
Very hot weather and drought can also prevent fruit development. Be sure to water plants thoroughly when the top few inches of soil are crumbly and slightly moist. Mulch with straw, shredded leaves or other organic matter to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
A bit more information: Water properly throughout the season, manage weeds and mulch the soil. Keeping plants healthy reduces the risk of diseases that can also impact the fruit’s flavor.
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