Specialty Melons
Specialty Melons
Melons are Kentucky's second largest fresh market vegetable by area. If you’re wondering why it is considered a “vegetable,” that would be predominantly due to its production practices which largely mimic there cucurbit cousins, squash and cucumber. Melons are a great crop for both large and small scale growers with wide market potential. Cultivar selection can play a big part in marketability, and with such a large selection between specialty, musk and watermelons, doing research into what your market is in need of will be valuable. Samples of more unique varieties may be helpful in improving sales in direct to consumer locations.
Key Requirements
| Land | Low to Medium |
| Labor | Medium to High |
| Capital | Low to Medium |
Take the HortBizQuiz to see how much Land, Labor, and Capital you have for your operation.
Markets
- Direct to Consumer
- Farmer's Market
- On-Farm Stands
- CSA
- Restaurants
- Wholesale
- Auction
Pest & Disease
Field rotation between crop families is important for melons. They should not follow another cucurbit crop but every four years. A spray program should be in place before planting due to heavy disease and insect pressure.
Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets. $4,825 (Seeded). $5,840 (Seedless).
Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets. $349 (Seeded). $1,642 (Seedless). Small scale production can be more profitable.
Challenges
- Commercial plantings of 2 acres or more will require beehives to ensure good pollination.
- Melons are hand-harvested.
- There are many diseases and insects that effect melons, so growers must be active in scouting and using disease forecasting systems such as MELCAST
Opportunities
- Melon can be direct seeded or transplanted
- Successful with black plastic and drip irrigation methods
- With proper cooling, fruit can be held for 3-4 weeks