Melons in Massachusetts?

I know this is a veggie group, but I'm betting that many of you grow melons, too. Have any of you had success growing them in eastern Massachusetts? (zone 6 or 6a.)

This past season was the first in which I tried growing melons. Alas, only a few matured. As I am already going through my seed catalogs and planning for 2012, I'd like to know if melons are simply doomed in Massachusetts (without greenhouses, that is). Or, if you have had success with them, then I'll try again--I can think of a couple of other factors that might explain the tiny yield.

Thanks,
Shayna

Yes Shayna, melons are considered vegetables like squash , cucumbers, eggplant, tomatoes etc. You should be able to grow a variety of muskmelon types. If they grow them in Canada you should be able also. I have grown them in zone 6 southwest Va. Covered the rows with black plastic and direct seeded under Hot Caps just after the last frost date. Actually grew and tasted better than they do here. Your problem may be that that you want to grow more exotic types than plain old cantaloupes. Most of the Mediterranean types have a long season. I was able to grow Earlidew (Honeydew type) and Ogen (Galia type) there. I expect many of the new early Galia type hybrids will grow under the same conditions as cantaloupes. Honeydews also have new early hybrids. There are some newer Spanish melons which have much earlier DTM than the originals. Johnny's offers San Juan an Ananas type with very early maturity and Brilliant a very early Canary type, Diplomat an extra early Galia type, Lambkin an early Piel de Sapo type. They also have Sun Jewel an extra early Asian crisp melon,

Melons that I have grown in Georgia since 2005. http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm92/farmerdill/Veggies%202009/Cucumis%20Melo/

You may also want to consider Blacktail Watermelons. They are smaller watermelons good for short cooler season of the Northern regions. We will be planting them this summer in our zone 5b garden. I'm sure many places carry them, but here is some seed information/description: http://highmowingseeds.com/Organic-Seeds-Blacktai-Mountain-Watermelon.html

Thanks for the tips, Dill and Dawn. I was indeed trying to grow more exotic types. I appreciate the pointers on specific varieties that you've had success with.