Hello!

Sorry in advance if this has been discussed earlier somewhere.

This is my first post on gardening forum ever...

I am trying to grow some watermelons for my kids this summer in my backyard in Houston.
Last year I grew a few, but most of them rotted since I just planted them in the backyard lawn.
This year I planted two into a 20 gallon pot on a patio by the pool.
My idea is to have vines sprawl on concrete (Sundeck coated) by the pool since this particular spot gets most sun during the day and since if they will be on the grass they will either get infested, rot plus it will be a pain to mow St. Augustine around them.
Question - will it be fine, not too hot?

Thanks in advance!!!

Texas gets super hot and growing watermelons can be a challenge in large containers. Anytime the vines grow near or around the lawn you have to stop mowing. It you want a pretty area there, you can forget it, because you can't mow anymore with melons. If you want to give up your yard's lawn for a few melons then it will work. The best watermelons I've ever ate were grown in Texas and so they are worth it. Good luck

Would you object to the looks of hay or wheat straw underneath the vines? Best way to cool the area off, and a bonus in preventing diseases, especially when grown in the ground.Arkansas is known for watermelons; many farmers who grow melons in. fields have the whole area underneath each hill mulched. They do pumpkins like that, too. May be a bit expensive, but worth it. Melons don't rot, then.

Thank you!
This is the configuration of how I see it grow.
Will try to find some hay, makes total sense!
Just sprawling vines on concrete wouldn't work?

This may be off the wall...do not even know if possible...gotten some ideas off the internet. I have been wondering about using a couple of double shepherd hooks for hanging plants. Putting something between them for the vines to grow across. Going to IKEA and getting 6 to 8 mesh shopping bags for hanging the melons in and putting on the hooks...or looking for a sturdier metal arbor and use s hooks for the mesh bags. I just do not know if the melons and vines could be manuevered to make it work. Would something like this be feasible?

Many blessings to everyone for great success in all your wonderful endeavors!

Wow, girl, you rock! I've heard of trellising cantaloupes and hanging the fruits from the trellis with panty hose.
Artiom99, yes, I could see the vines stretched out over hay. Remember hay is messy! The worst part is putting it down. The hay will protect the melons and keep the vines and melons much cooler. Yes, you could let the vines grow on the bare concrete, but I think the vines and you! Would be much happier with something underneath them. But no plastic film. A light colored landscaping fabric would be suitable.