Andy writes: Well, my garden is doing well and I have prolific cantalope growing. I have noticed that the cantalope vines come out of the hill, and spread all around for 10 feet or so, never penetrating the ground. So it is obvious that all the nutrients and water are coming thru the hill they are planted in.,..,
So, here is an idea I might try next year....
I plan to make a raised "hill" of, maybe, 1 foot on a side and 6 inches high, bounded by landscape timbers or a metal ring...
I figure I can just water the hill , and keep it weed free, and let the rest of the garden go to hell with grass and weeds. Since the cantalope grows ONLY from the hill, and the vines just rest on the surrounding terrain, it doesn't matter what happens to anything but the hill.....
So, does anyone have a clue as to whether this idea will work ? Or am I overlooking some basic fact of gardening that would require me to keep the surroundings weed free for the spread of the vines ?
Thanks for any discussion on this matter......
.. Oh..... and would the same apply to cucumbers and watermellons. ?
Andy in Eureka , Texas