Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Aromas of ripening melons, fruit swelling with no support, and the magic of no dig growing — this has to be my best ever melon crop.
The warm spring and early summer sun here at Homeacres has encouraged astonishing growth. You’re looking at Malaga (Charentais orange flesh) and Emia melons — fewer fruits, but their size is remarkable. I’ve never seen such big ones!
Melons were sown 28th March, planted out in the no dig greenhouse bed on 2nd May. I tie the plants with string but don’t net or support the fruit. You can see how strong the stalks are — holding the melons securely until ripeness. When the neck softens, they naturally fall. That’s why many people believe they must be supported, but I’ve found the plants do the work.
These are for home consumption, so if they fall, well — that’s fine! Time to eat and share them.
The plants also self-prune — the small, misshapen melons are naturally dropped. A bit like squash, they decide what to keep.
I’m watching closely now — waiting for the first signs of ripening: a slight neck crack, yellowing skin, or just stepping into the greenhouse and being greeted by that beautiful sweet aroma.
Also growing: luffa (sown late March, from saved seed), and a watermelon that’s already fruiting well by 1st July, despite our UK climate. Just one fruit, but it’s swelling fast — golf ball to nearly full-size in four days. At the end of the row: Greek basil, perfect for cutting and sprinkling on summer dishes.
All this — no feed, no fertiliser, just the no dig method at work.
🎥 Filmed by Nicola, 1st July, Homeacres, Somerset UK.
📺 For more detail, watch my long-form melon video on YouTube – I share many ways to grow different varieties. - youtube.com/watch?v=6eUAm5x-1Wk&t=5s
#nodig #charlesdowding #greenhousemelon #homegrownfruit #melons #luffa #watermelon #nodig #ukgardening #homeacres
Aromas of ripening melons, fruit swelling with no support, and the magic of no dig growing — this has to be my best ever melon crop.
The warm spring and early summer sun here at Homeacres has encouraged astonishing growth. You’re looking at Malaga (Charentais orange flesh) and Emia melons — fewer fruits, but their size is remarkable. I’ve never seen such big ones!
Melons were sown 28th March, planted out in the no dig greenhouse bed on 2nd May. I tie the plants with string but don’t net or support the fruit. You can see how strong the stalks are — holding the melons securely until ripeness. When the neck softens, they naturally fall. That’s why many people believe they must be supported, but I’ve found the plants do the work.
These are for home consumption, so if they fall, well — that’s fine! Time to eat and share them.
The plants also self-prune — the small, misshapen melons are naturally dropped. A bit like squash, they decide what to keep.
I’m watching closely now — waiting for the first signs of ripening: a slight neck crack, yellowing skin, or just stepping into the greenhouse and being greeted by that beautiful sweet aroma.
Also growing: luffa (sown late March, from saved seed), and a watermelon that’s already fruiting well by 1st July, despite our UK climate. Just one fruit, but it’s swelling fast — golf ball to nearly full-size in four days. At the end of the row: Greek basil, perfect for cutting and sprinkling on summer dishes.
All this — no feed, no fertiliser, just the no dig method at work.
🎥 Filmed by Nicola, 1st July, Homeacres, Somerset UK.
📺 For more detail, watch my long-form melon video on YouTube – I share many ways to grow different varieties. - youtube.com/watch?v=6eUAm5x-1Wk&t=5s
#nodig #charlesdowding #greenhousemelon #homegrownfruit #melons #luffa #watermelon #nodig #ukgardening #homeacres
