I love how you have those climbing against the deck railing! That's exciting how much you have going on.
I built a 3 by 5 foot raised bed on concrete 3 years ago with wood in the clearance section of a big box store, and a whole lot of Al's mix and overall, the plants have done great. I finally did that simply because I was tired of having a herd of small plastic pots constantly underfoot.

Looks great! I had a question about the tomato plants.

I've grown a few large varieties of tomatoes (such as big bush or beefsteak) in pots that size (like the ones pictured) and even some in pots that are much larger. I've used new potting soil and fertilizer each year. However, the tomatoes all turn out the size of cherry tomatoes every year. I thought it might be because of a limited root system but I'm not sure. Are your tomatoes in containers turning out small or do they grow to a respectable size?

Hi. My tomatoes usually develop to full size. They require ALOT of food to do so when in containers because the nutrients ate used up and get washed out quickly. Be vigilant about feeding and you'll do ok.

Way to grow! I'd say you're doing GREAT!

Update.

Watermelon are progressing nicely. Still no cantaloupe, hope they don't need a cross pollinator as the bees have been visiting them alot and still no fruit.

{{gwi:39684}}

{{gwi:39685}}

{{gwi:39686}}

{{gwi:39687}}

Thanks for looking. :)

That's awesome! What size container did you plant your watermelons and cantaloupe in? This is my first time container gardening (or gardening at all for that matter!) and I'm kind of making it up as I go. My watermelons seem to be growing and flowering but no fruit (the bees don't care about them). My cantaloupe has TONS of flowers (and the bees love it) but only one fruit so far. I also have pumpkins...one just got a bunch of flowers yesterday so we'll see if anything happens there. All the pumpkin flowers are really close to the stem (not out on the vine) and that's where the cantaloupe is too (even though there are lots of flowers out on the vines there). The thing is, in this GA heat, I'm already watering 2-3 times a day and there's not even any thirsty fruit yet. I'm just trying to figure out how to salvage what I can this year and what to do better next year.

{{gwi:39688}}

{{gwi:39689}}

{{gwi:27361}}

{{gwi:39690}}

{{gwi:27360}}

Nice going everyone!

I would love to see the end result of that nice looking watermelon once you cut into it!Yum!

You are all doing a great job! Thanks for sharing.

Mike

I'm in Memphis and have all different sizes of cantaloupes growing - plus tomatoes, peppers, and onions, etc. Has anyone tried growing cantaloupes up a trellis? I've got them gently supported in little slings now, but I'm not sure how that's going to work when they get larger!

For pix, visit my blog:
www.forestjane.blogspot.com

Here is a link that might be useful: ForestJane's blog

Btbarb... I think my nearby lavender and Veronica has really helped with the watermelon pollination. The honey bees visit everything in my garden throughout the day. I live near several farms and nurseries so, it's possible that helps bring them in. The melons are growing in 12 gallon plastic terra cotta pots, they require frequent fertilizing and are set up with drip feeders with timer when needed. Hopefully I'll be able to grow them to full size and ripeness. No cantaloupes set yet but the weather is heating up so hopefully soon.

I will post updates through the season.

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden pics

What are those little round brownish things on the soil surface in the first pots above?

That is hydrocorn... little expanded clay pieces, they wick and hold moisture. I have them mixed in the soil and on top to help retain air and water.