Homarden Melon Cradle - Watermelon Holder Stand Trellis, Squash or Pumpkin Cradles, Plant & Garden Vegetable Supports for Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Pumpkins (Set of 12)

These are soft THIN cradles. No way are they going to hold up a 35 pound melon off the ground. I have small cantaloupes, about 5 pounds, and already they are sinking into the ground. They are such soft material that they really don't support anything properly, they need to be hard plastic. I don't see them lasting longer than a season or two at the most and I am being generous in that estimation. I am going to rant here. I am really really getting tired of companies making shoddy products so they can make more money. It just seems no one has any integrity any more. As almost seems to be a continuous pattern for me, having to make my own. Maybe it is not a good thing that I am 70 years old and can remember when they use to make quality goods that would last.

For their advertised use, these probably wont work. They are thin and flimsy. However, I got them to keep my lettuce and herbs off the ground. And for that purpose, after modifications, they worked very well. I made a cut from the outer edge to the center, next to one of the spokes/ridges. Then cut out the inner circle just past the legs. I then put them around my plants right after transplanting. They would probably work well with strawberries as well. With anything that had leaves touching the ground. I have used the same set for 3 years now. Am ordering another set. I gave 3 stars because they probably wouldnt work as advertised.

We have raised garden beds. I got these for watermelons and pumpkins. When they are in the dirt in the raised bed, the weight of a mini seedless watermelon will push the legs down into the dirt. Around and between our raised beds I have a rough sand, such as what you put under paver stones to help keep the weeds down and make it easier to walk. When these are put on that, it holds up fine to the weight and keeps them off the ground. The little feet don't push into the ground at all. Soft soil or compost, the legs might sink negating the off the ground desired effect.

These melon cradles are really nice and sturdy. I am using them to keep my watermelon and pumpkins off the ground. The price was right and lightening fast delivery! Thanks!! UPDATE: After the melons and pumpkins started growing the cradles weren't as sturdy as I thought and seemed to bend under the weight. Not as good as I first thought. I jumped the gun with my review and should have waited longer. That is why I changed my score of 5 stars to 3.

We had a hot 110+ summer and I was afraid the plastic would become brittle and break, but these held up wonderfully. They took the weight of our melons and pumpkins (10 or so pounds). I imagine if we got large gourd varieties after a certain weight you would want to remove these. Our gourds looked very uniform and beautiful so I think these cradles did a wonderful job. They were easy to clean off too and move around. Neighbors were impressed with them as well.