Both work best when direct seeded in the garden. And in your zone direct seeding has many advantages because your season is plenty long enough for them so starting them early has no advantages.

And unfortunately using the peat pots only creates additional problems for them. If you choose to use them you need to monitor the soil moisture closely because they wick the water away from the plant. And when you plant them in the garden you need to strip off all or at least the majority of the pot first.

Dave

I concur with what Dave has stated.

In your zone, they would have plenty of time to develop ripe, beautiful fruit.

I have had success by mounding my ÂhillsÂ, each planted with 3/4 seeds, and amending it with a lot or organic material (from my compost bin). They are hogs and love the extra nutrients. I also only water them in the evening to prevent powdery mildew (though it hasnÂt effected my fruit), and snip a few vines (in small increments) to promote fewer, but larger fruit.

Just my opinion and what has worked for me.

I am bummed, I turned my melon and pumpkin garden into ANOTHER dahlia/zinnia cutting bed : ). I will sure miss my fruit vines!

Keriann~