Gardening and Horticulture - Why plant in hills?

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davelew
05-10-05, 06:42 PM
Why is it suggested that melons and squash be planted in hills? Would it make any difference if planted on level soil?

chfite
05-10-05, 10:00 PM
Hills enable the accumulation of friable soil and raise the plants above the surrounding ground to help avoid wet feet for the new plants. Plants that grow large in the manner of melons are hilled rather than planted in rows along furrows. These plants spread out quite a bit. It is less overall work to make the hills than to waste the rows.

They will grow on level ground, just the same.
nibsey
05-17-05, 01:28 PM
A word of caution related to keeping the roots dry also relates to the fruit. Once the fruit (melons/squash) get large, I'd suggest that you prop them on a board so they don't lay directly in the soil. Generally slugs, etc. will either eat your fruit, or they will rot when in contact with moist soil for too long.

Good Luck - Nibs