How to Grow Melons in a Hoop House

Start melons two to three weeks before the last frost in the hoop house. Melons can't start until mid-spring in outdoor gardens but survive earlier plantings in protected greenhouse conditions. Plant the melons 90 to 100 days before average first frost to give them their required growing season.

Turn on the greenhouse heater and fan to warm the air to 65 to 70 degrees and start the melons with a friendly air temperatures. Choose sites in the hoop house where the melons will get quick drainage and full sunshine; the plants can't grow or bloom in shaded locations.

Amend the soil to warm and nourish it for planting. Dig into the top 10 inches of natural soil throughout the chosen planting beds, and pull out weeds and rocks. Incorporate four to five inches of rich organic compost for nutrition and warmth, and to add drainage to the soil. Add 4-8-5 or 6-10-10 fertilizer to give the melons ideal starting nutrition.

Plant melon seeds or seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart in the row. Leave five to six feet of space between multiple rows for gardening and walking. Spread two inches of mulch over unplanted soil to keep the foundation moist and warm, and to discourage weed growth.

Water the melons with two inches of water, and put them on a schedule of two to three inches of water every week, soaking the soil.

Turn fans on to keep air moving in the hoop house, but turn them off and open the windows and doors with the thaw to take advantage of warm spring and summer air. Use the heater to attain the starting temperature, then turn it off for the summer.

Fertilize the melons with 33-0-0 fertilizer one week after blooming starts and again one week later for best fruit production.