Hi there!
I have a postage-stamp yard that I try to fill with "stuff", so space is double-duty a lot. I have a brand new flower bed on the side of the house that is not going to be particularly grown this summer.. so I thought I would at least use the space for other stuff until it's mature. Could I put watermelon there, or will it sprawl too much over the new plants?

What variety are you planting? Most watermelon will sprawl.
There is a faily tame bush variety, but I cannot remember its name.

Sugar-baby, I think...It's supposed to be a bush variety, but I just don't want it to shield the new plants too much. It says it gets 2' or so, but I never know what to believe.

Thats the one. It does stay fairly small. I grew it a few years ago. Just didn't remember the name. The problem with that variety was it was very seedy.
My choice is moon and stars. It takes up a good portion of my garden, but it is so good.

Can you grow watermelons well vertically?

They tend to be rather too heavy for that. Plus they're heavy feeders - their draw from your soil, and the feeding which really should be given them, may be detrimental to your other plants. I'm not sure what you've got in there for plants but it might not be the greatest idea. You can always try it, see how it goes, if that's the only available space you have. Don't do vertical though.

Yes you can grow them vertically but you will need to supply supports for the fruits. I remember one guy writing he used his wife's bras for the support. She was not happy about this but he said he had fabulous melons.

If you can find it, there's an old variety called "Minnesota Midget" that's perfect for small areas and short seasons. An heirloom variety called "Moon and Stars" also doesn't take much space, but may need more than you have.

In general, though, mixing flowers and vegetables works very well.

Does anyone have any suggestions for other veggies to mix w/ flowers> I've got some herbs in there already (purple basil, rosemary bushes, thyme)... what else may be okay? Most of the veggies are in raised beds in back. I have to be wary of the side of the house so that it's not too wild for the HOA.

I should correct/clarify myself. Yes, one CAN grow them vertically, just be willing to provide serious support as ohio pointed out so amusingly. Sometimes I'm admittedly colored by the fact that after a lifetime of this stuff the less work/grief I have to do the happier I am, and supporting watermelons, I probably couldn't be bothered but that's only me, sorry 'bout that reply.



Too, again, the heavy feeders that they are - I'm still not all that clear on the mix of plants you'll have in the one space. Herbs don't like rich soil, melons do. Mixing flowers and veggies is fine but they all have their needs. Anyway. Whatever appeals to you and keeps the Yard Police happy, I guess.

asparagus. when the plant ferns, it looks beautiful in the background. They can get tall so plant in the back. It also produces red berries for the birds.


chives might be nice. these produce pretty purple flowers.

blue curled kale

I don't have a lot of experience, so I may be way off base, but I *do* have lots of ideas... B-)

How about strawberries (not a veggie, I know, but edible anyway)? They like an acidic soil, but we have wild ones growing all over the place, so I'm assuming they would do well anywhere in my yard, and they make an attractive ground cover.

Lettuce, cabbage, greens, and kale are reasonably ornamental, though they don't really make a good ground cover.

Squash doesn't sprawl us much as melons, but still makes a good ground cover--I plan to grow it under corn and beans, but I don't know how it does with flowers. I don't know how heavily they feed--seems like they thrive no matter where they are, though, in my little experience.

Those are just a few things that pop into my mind. I would love to have melons, but I just don't have the space or patience for it right now, especially because around here you have to protect each little baby melon or it gets eaten to pieces by the bugs and birds.

Good luck and have fun. Sounds like a beautiful garden.

Heather

good suggestions heather- another veggie plant that is often considered ornemental is peppers.

I just got hold of some mini bell peppers. Can't wait to plant them.

If you are growing a smaller-fruited variety, you could try growing vertically on a strong trellis, supporting fruits with a netting sling.