Can melons grow on the ground?

[Fure-Chyi Chen ³¯ºÖºX]

You can put some rice or other cereal straws beneath the fruit to prevent 
rotting. Chen

On Fri, 7 Jun 1996, Dean McCrae wrote:

> 
> I have just planted honey melons (Sugar Baby) and water melons in my garden. The
> plants are lying on the ground, but I have never tried this before, so I am not
> sure if that is the right thing to do. Can anyone help me with this??
> 
> Also, if the melon plants go on the ground, what about the actual melons. Can
> they just lie on the soil without rotting or getting damaged?
> 
> Thanks for helping.
> 
>