Melons provide a sweet and colorful addition to summer meals, and they can be grown in the home garden. In addition to the typical cantaloupe and honeydew melons, gardeners can grow other varieties such as banana melons. Before Planting: A light, well-drained soil with a pH of 7.0 and a southern exposure is ideal. Good soil moisture is important in early stages of growth and during pollination when fruits are setting. Planting: For direct seeding, sow 1-2 weeks after last frost when soil is warm, above 70F, 3 seeds every 18, 1/2 deep, thinning to 1 plant/spot. Space rows 6 apart. For transplanting, sow indoors in 3 weeks before last frost and transplanting outside. Plant 2-3 seeds per or pot, about 1/4 deep. Keep temperature 80-90F until germination. Handle young plants carefully and never let the soil dry out. Grow seedlings at 75F. Reduce water and temperature for a week to harden seedlings. When the weather is frost-free, warm, and settled, transplant 2-3 apart in rows 6 apart or thin to 1 plant/pot or cell with scissors and transplant 18 apart. Even hardened melon seedlings are tender. Do not disturb roots when transplanting, and water thoroughly