I have planted watermelon, cantaloupe and pumpkins in the same garden for years. My garden is 30x60 and as long as I keep them at least 10' apart I haven't had any problems with cross pollination.

Unfortunately I don't have that much space. Could I get away with planting squash at one end of a ten-foot square and the melons at the other?
How about if I put some potatoes in the middle? Or maybe I'm just trying to put too much into an 8' X 12' garden area?

Julie_z4 has your answer. Have you ever seen a bee NOT go ten feet and light on another flower? True, the flowers may be cross-pollinated(not sure about compatibility here), but if they do, that doesn't affect the fruit. Otherwise, Julie would've at least gotten a few rogue cucurbits. The seed, however, will not be true if cross-pollinated.

Another example: Many people, especially with small yards, only have room for one apple tree. Crabapples are far more plentiful in urban/suburban areas and pollinate apples, more frequently than other apple cultivars. Yet the apple fruits are always true to their host parent.

Rick

Birchwood,
I would go for it, you'll get some great fruit. If you happen to get a squtalope let me know how it tastes! LOL

Okay folks! I guess what I understand is that I can safely plant squash and cantlope in somewhat close proximity.
Please understand that we are new to the Ferus Falls area and really neophyte gardeners. (at this point Groucho would jump in with "neophytes? didn't I just see a flock go by".
Huh oh.....its going to be a looonng summer. Thanks all.

Birchwood, you don't have to worry about cross pollination if you aren't planning to save seeds. Cross pollination wouldn't affect the fruits from plants of this generation, just their children.

It won't affect this generation - just don't plant the seeds *LAUGH* that'd be interesting...

"Hi! I'd like to introduce to you my squashamelon..." if they'd even germinate.

-Marie