Melon Hammocks Can Save Your Harvest from Rotting, a Gardener Says

It’s a huge bummer to see a nearly-ripe melon that’s fallen to the ground or one that’s developed an unsightly layer of mold from resting in the dirt.

Cultivating these summer fruits and getting them to reach their full maturity can be tricky, but there’s one interesting tool that you might not have considered: a melon hammock.

You may have contemplated this netted swing for another part of your backyard, but probably not for the melon patch. However, this special kind of hammock fit for your fruit is just the support it needs from breaking off the vine or gathering up too much moisture on its underside.

Up ahead, a gardening expert explains the benefits of using a melon hammock, where to get one, and tips for using it in your patch.

How a Melon Hammock Works

A hammock for your melon sounds great, but what does this tool provide for your fruit?

Gardening expert Jo Parker says that the melon hammock is used to support the weight of the melon you are growing and therefore, prevents the melon from snapping off of the vine.

To use it, you’ll wrap the netting around the fruit and it will take the heft off of the vine. It also holds the melon up off the ground.

These tools are a breeze to set up as well and only need to be hooked up to a trellis, fence, or bar overhead.

This melon hammock from Belit is a gardener’s favorite. It’s made from sturdy nylon that’s still “very soft” and “will not damage your fruit,” according to one reviewer.

Other customers mentioned that these hammocks are reusable through many growing seasons.

Why Is It Beneficial for Growing Melons?

There are a few ways this fruit hammock benefits your melon-growing efforts. Most importantly, Parker says it keeps your melons off the ground.

“This prevents rotting on the spot of the melon that has contact with the ground,” she says. “It also prevents damage from pests,” which have much easier access when your melon is resting on the soil.

Additionally, if your melons are growing on a trellis, it supports the weight of them as they hover off the ground and decreases the chances of an unwanted drop.

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Does a Hammock Work for Any Melon?

Whether you’re sprouting cantaloupes, honeydew melons, watermelons, or another variety, Parker notes that these will work for just about any melon, as they come in many sizes.

She recommends buying a hammock with measurements that will fit around the fruit’s mature size. This way it has plenty of space to grow and the right level of support.

Tips for Using a Melon Hammock

If you’re thinking of adding a melon hammock (or a few) to your garden, here are some other tips:

• Use a trellis: This is Parker’s favorite method for implementing melon hammocks. “I grow Sugar Daddy watermelons vertically to save space and the hammocks ensure that they have extra support,” she notes.
• Find strong hooks: The hooks you use to attach the hammock to your trellis should also be durable, according to Parker. Choose a metal that’s rust-resistant and sturdy or an extra-thick plastic hook that can bear the weight.
• Use cradles for larger melons: While hammocks are good for just about any melon, Parker says she wouldn’t grow big watermelons vertically because of the weight. Instead, she suggests growing them on the ground but using melon cradles. These are large plastic discs that elevate them slightly off the soil.
• Repurpose hammocks for other produce: If you stop growing watermelons or they’re out of season, consider reusing the nets for growing other heavier fruits like cucumbers, gourds, and pumpkins.