Growing Honeydew in The Southern Nevada Desert

One thing you can always count on living in the southern Nevada desert is that you can never rely on the weather forecaster. If it says 0% chance of rain, you can bet there will be a flash flood somewhere in the dead of summer. With this in mind, you should also know following the "planting norms" of the rest of the country is out of the question. It is an entire different ball game in the Southern Nevada Desert. 

There are few general gardening guidelines if you want a thriving garden, but for the most part, tend to the soil, adjust your watering frequency with the weather, and let the plants do their own thing.

The expectation that you plant a seed in the dirt during the "season" the packet, google, farmer's almanac, or your grandma says to plant it in, and you get fresh fruit or veggies in their growing season is a setup for dissatisfaction and or garden failure in this desert. I mention this because I frequently get asked how or why I have certain fruits or vegetables growing during "random" seasons. For example, "Isn't it a bit late in the season to start growing Honeydew?"   Or "You have Carrots right now?"

I plant the seeds, and they grow in their own time.  

As I typed that sentence, I realized that is my approach to life, health, and raising kids. 

Anyways, back to the topic at hand, it is also very beneficial to keep a garden journal if you remember to use it consistently. Diagrams are also a beautiful way to remember where each plant is in your garden bed, or if you're an accountant or super organized, a spreadsheet works, too! 

But why am I even talking about keeping track of your garden?!

Funny story. One Saturday morning late in the spring, before summer began, I walked out to the garden after cutting honeydew melon and planted the seeds in my garden bed. This act did not go in my garden journal, diagram, or garden calendar spreadsheet. I went about the summer heat and forgot all about them. I had a successful summer growing season. It's finally cooling down in the desert, and I have been watching what I thought might be zucchini that didn't sprout from the spring until it started growing little yellow blossoms. I was confused but continued to watch. During an afternoon stroll through the garden last week, it finally hit me, recalling the Honeydew seeds I planted in the spring! 

Are you wondering what my motivation was to dump a handful of honeydew melon seeds in the garden without even writing it down, other than the fact that it is delicious?!

I have been playing in this whirlwind of "go-go-go" since the beginning of the year, leaving me to play a fun guessing game on what I planted and where. 

Honeydew melon offers several healing & health benefits due to its nutrient-rich composition.  

Top three proven health benefits provided by Honeydew Melon:

1. Hydration: Honeydew melon has a high water content, which can help keep you hydrated, especially in hot weather or after physical activities. Adequate hydration is crucial for various bodily functions, including regulating body temperature, aiding digestion, and maintaining healthy skin.
2. Digestive Health: The fiber from honeydew can help promote regular bowel movements, prevent constipation, and support a healthy gut microbiome. 
3. Rich in Vitamins and Antioxidants: Honeydew melon is a good source of vitamins and antioxidants, such as vitamin C and beta-carotene; compounds that can help strengthen the immune system, protect cells from oxidative stress, and support healthy skin; vitamin C, in particular, plays a vital role in collagen production and wound healing.

While honeydew melon offers these potential healing benefits, it's important to remember that individual responses to food can vary, and any specific health benefits may vary from person to person. 

& on the off chance that you now want to grow honeydew melon:

Three non-negotiables for Honeydew melon plants to thrive:

1. Warm Climate: Honeydew melons thrive in warm climates with long, hot summers! Honeydew melons require plenty of sunlight and warm temperatures to grow successfully. 
2. Adequate Watering: Watering in the morning is vital to allow the foliage to dry before the hot desert sun bakes the plant and to ensure drying by evening to prevent fungal issues. While honeydew melons need consistent moisture, it's important not to overwater them. I adjust watering based on the weather.
3. Well-Drained Soil: Well-drained soil rich in organic matter is essential to ensure good soil drainage to prevent water-logged roots, which can lead to plant stress and disease.

Gardening in the desert will never be what most consider ideal, but it does not have to be impossible either. You can grow your food year-round in the desert! Yes, there is much more to consider for growing your own food in the desert, but the non-negotiables for honeydew melon are essential for every living thing.

Gardens are like the human body; To thrive, you must provide the soil with the proper nutrients to support the health of the plant's roots, just as we must care for our own terrain, and the non-negotiables are what you can't live without to thrive: Sleep, Water and Healthy Nutrition. 

So, while I sit and watch my honeydew grow in the fall, I am grateful to plant the seeds that thrive in their own time. 

Does nutrition or dessert gardening information on the internet leave you feeling confused and overwhelmed? 

Do you aspire to live a holistic lifestyle and have a healthy mind, body, and soul, but Google and social media leave you lost? 

I am here for YOU! Here to help you navigate your health. I would love to connect with you and offer the advice and healing support your individual body needs! 

For more dessert gardening inspiration, find me on Instagram @Healingwithashlee

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