A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Fruit Forum What could be going on with my cantaloupes?

My cantaloupes are at the 4 leaf stage right now. At least 2 leaves on each plant has turned yellow/brown and dry around the edges. Some leaves are about half like this. I have been watering every day to every other day depending on how hot/dry it is. My watermelons have completely died off. They shriveled and died at the 2 leaf stage.

I think that my garden soil is not good. This is the first time that a garden has been planted here. And to top it off, I am a newbie gardener.

What could be going on? Should I put some fertilizer on it? What kind?

Thanks!

can you post a pic of your plants/soil?

it could be a million different things, but since you said a garden has never been planted there before, poor soil would be my first guess.

let me ask you this....what was growing in that spot before you made a garden?

I might ask, how large did the leaves get before they yellowed/withered? One indication of poor soil would be poor growth. Melons have various pest problems, aphids, spidermites...just suggestions, as I haven't grown lot's of them but I'm familiar with some of the pest issues. Also, they have moderate water requirements,
I agree with cricket, more information would be a great help.
NEVER add fertilizer without some extra information, fert.s can be a cause of damage as much as pests or disease, and soil is the key many times.