I wouldn’t plant melon on the trellis off the eating area because they DO get powdery mildew as well as cucumber beetles, stink bugs/leaf foots, etc and become unsightly. Have you considered runner beans? Hummingbirds love the blossoms. There are different flower color varieties, but so far, out of 4 varieties I’ve tried Scarlet runner beans are good eating as immature green beans as well as mature dry beans. (It *might* have been “Scarlet Emperor”.... I want to try one other kind that has HUGE BEANS... can’t remember the name right now — starts with a “W”.
I really think you should try different kinds of cukes. Buy them from the store or farmers market at first. I don’t really like the American standard variety - big fat green ones. I prefer Japanese kinds but make sure they’re not the ones that get bitter (once tried an heirloom variety that was so bitter it was inedible). American pickler varieties that have thinner skins are good. Tried Beit Alpha but it wasn’t as good according to DD. I have saved seeds from Japanese variety Shintokiwa which apparently got bee-crossed with Pickarow, and it has been a hit with DD. ...trying to decide if I want to try Mexican Sour Gherkins — some people say they are really sour and kind of like eating pickles... others say don’t bother.
...this one was hiding and is a bit overgrown...
![Image](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1793/30196003068_1e045d0e77_k_d.jpg)