Monty Don's Outdoor Melon Trial Part Two: The Results

If you're a gardening enthusiast, you may have come across Monty Don's outdoor melon trial. As part of his BBC series, Monty Don decided to grow melons outdoors in the UK climate, which is usually considered too cold for this delicacy. In this article, we'll review the results of Monty Don's experiment and see if he managed to produce sweet and juicy melons in his garden.

The Setup

Monty Don's outdoor melon trial started in May 2022 when he planted four different varieties of melon seeds directly into the soil. He chose a south-facing wall as the growing spot, hoping that the heat absorbed during the day would radiate back to the plants at night. He also erected a simple trellis to support the vines as they grew.

The varieties Monty Don chose were Galia, Charentais, Ogen, and Collective Farm Woman. These are all relatively small melons that could be grown in containers or raised beds. Monty Don wanted to see which variety would perform the best in his garden and what challenges he would face along the way.

The Journey

Monty Don's outdoor melon trial was not without its difficulties. Firstly, the weather in the UK is unpredictable, and there were several periods of drought and heavy rain that affected the plants' growth. Secondly, the plants needed extra care and attention, such as regular watering and feeding, to thrive in their outdoor environment.

Despite these challenges, Monty Don managed to keep the plants healthy and growing throughout the summer. Each variety responded differently to the changing weather conditions, with some producing more fruit than others. Monty Don had to remove some of the foliage to expose the fruits to the sun, and he also had to hand-pollinate the flowers to ensure proper fruit set.

The Results

A ripe Galia melon on a green leafy background

After three months of growth, it was time to harvest the melons and see how successful Monty Don's outdoor melon trial was. The Galia variety produced the most fruit, with six ripe melons weighing an average of 1.2kg each. The Charentais variety was not far behind, with five ripe melons weighing an average of 1.1kg each.

A ripe Charentais melon on a green leafy background

The Ogen variety was less successful, with only two ripe melons weighing an average of 700g each. Monty Don speculated that this might be due to the plant's sensitivity to temperature and moisture fluctuations, which are common in the UK climate.

Two ripe Ogen melons on a green leafy background

The Collective Farm Woman variety did not produce any ripe melons, but Monty Don was still impressed by the vine's growth and overall health. He speculated that the plant might need a longer growing season or warmer temperatures to mature fully.

The

Monty Don's outdoor melon trial was a success, with two out of four varieties producing sweet and juicy fruits. The Galia and Charentais varieties proved to be the most suitable for outdoor growing in the UK climate, while the Ogen and Collective Farm Woman varieties need more attention and care to thrive.

This experiment also proved that with the right setup and care, even exotic fruits like melons can be grown successfully in unexpected places. It's a testament to the resilience of nature and the ingenuity of gardeners like Monty Don.

gardening, outdoor melon, UK climate, Monty Don, fruit-growing, container gardening