Melons prefer a light soil or heavy soil amended with organic matter that has warmed up to at least 55 to 60 degrees. Germinate melon seeds in peat pots or buy starts. When transplants have four to seven leaves, transplant plants at least 36 inches apart and space rows five to six feet apart. Water well, but infrequently. Overwatering may lower fruit quality.
Drip irrigation is better for melons than overhead sprinkling.
Fertilize well for top quality and yield. Local nurseries will have melon varieties that will grow best in most regions of the state except the Oregon coast, which is usually too cool. In high elevation areas with a short growing season of 90 to 120 days and frost is possible in any month, melons need to be protected with row covers. Gardeners in cooler areas might have the best luck with honeydews and muskmelons, including the cantaloupe-types. Willamette Valley gardeners that want to try to grow watermelons, casaba or crenshaw melons should really use clear plastic tunnels or other row cover material until melons start to develop female flowers.