Ever dreamed of enjoying a juicy slice of homegrown watermelon on a hot summer day? Growing your own watermelons can be rewarding, but it takes some knowledge and care. Watermelons take about 70 to 100 days to grow from seed to harvest1. With the right steps, you can grow delicious watermelons in your garden.
Starting with the right conditions is key for growing watermelons. Wait until the soil warms up to over 70°F (21°C) and the frost has passed before planting2. They do best in soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and prefer sandy loam soil31.
Give your watermelon vines enough room to spread out. Plant them 3 to 5 feet apart2. They should be 2-3 feet apart in a 5-foot-wide hill or 6 feet apart in rows1. Remember, these vines can spread a lot, needing about 20 square feet per plant1.
Watermelons need a steady water supply to taste great2. They need lots of water, especially when it’s dry3. As they grow, they ripen over two weeks2. Stopping water as they ripen makes them sweeter.
Follow these tips and care for your watermelon plants for a great harvest. Enjoy sweet, juicy watermelons right from your garden.
Key Takeaways:
- Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil for your watermelon patch
- Plant watermelons when soil temperatures reach above 70°F (21°C)
- Allow ample space for watermelon vines to spread out
- Provide consistent watering, especially during fruit development
- Harvest watermelons when they’re fully ripe for the best flavor and texture
Choosing the Right Watermelon Variety
Choosing the right watermelon variety is key to a successful garden. With many types to pick from, think about your area, space, and what you like. Knowing the difference between seedless and seeded watermelons helps you pick the best for your garden.
Seedless vs. Seeded Watermelons
Deciding between seedless or seeded watermelons is a big choice. Seedless ones have few seeds and are easy to eat. But, they need a pollinator, so plant a seeded type nearby for best results4.
Seeded watermelons have lots of black seeds and are loved for their classic taste. They’re a great choice for gardeners who like the traditional look and taste. You can start them indoors or directly in your garden, thinning to keep the strongest vines5.
Best Watermelon Varieties for Your Region
Think about your area and growing season when picking watermelon varieties. Some top choices include:
- Sugar Baby: This variety grows fast, in 75 days, and produces 6-10 pound melons with sweet flesh5. It’s perfect for small gardens or short seasons.
- Crimson Sweet: A favorite for its disease resistance and juicy, red flesh5. Varieties like Crimson Sweet need a big garden space4.
- Yellow Buttercup: For something different, try Yellow Buttercup for its yellow flesh5.
- Secretariat Seedless: If you want seedless, go for Secretariat Seedless, which matures in 80 days and grows 16-18 pounds5.
Here’s a table to help you pick the best watermelon varieties for your garden:
| Variety | Type | Days to Maturity | Average Weight | Flavor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Baby | Seeded | 75 | 6-10 lbs | Sweet, bright red flesh |
| Crimson Sweet | Seeded | 85 | 20-25 lbs | Juicy, crimson flesh |
| Yellow Buttercup | Seeded | 90 | 15-20 lbs | Unique yellow flesh |
| Secretariat Seedless | Seedless | 80 | 16-18 lbs | Crisp, refreshing flavor |
Choosing the right watermelon varieties means thinking about your garden and what you like. By picking varieties that fit your area and preferences, you’ll enjoy a great harvest of homegrown watermelons.
Preparing the Soil for Watermelon Plants
Before you plant watermelon seeds or seedlings, make sure the soil is ready. Watermelons do well in well-drained, sandy loam soils with a pH between 6.0 and 6.567. This type of soil helps with drainage and gives the plants the nutrients they need.
Ideal Soil Type and pH for Watermelons
For the best results, keep the soil’s pH between 6.0 and 6.5. This lets the plants get the nutrients they need67. If your soil’s pH is off, you might need to add lime or sulfur. A soil test can tell you what your soil needs.
Enriching the Soil with Organic Matter
Watermelons need nutrient-rich soil to grow big and sweet. Add organic stuff like aged manure, compost, or well-rotted leaves to the top 6 inches of soil before planting. This boosts soil fertility and helps it hold water and drain better.
Think about making raised mounds or hills for better drainage and to keep the soil warm. Using black plastic mulch can also warm the soil faster in spring, helping your watermelons grow and ripen sooner8.
| Soil Requirement | Ideal Range | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Soil Type | Well-drained, sandy loam | Proper drainage, nutrient retention |
| Soil pH | 6.0 to 6.5 | Optimal nutrient absorption |
| Organic Matter | Aged manure, compost, well-rotted leaves | Improved soil fertility and texture |
By focusing on these watermelon soil requirements and preparing your garden well, you’ll be ready for a great watermelon harvest.
Planting Watermelon Seeds and Seedlings
Planting watermelons at the right time and using proper techniques are key for a great harvest. You can start with seeds or transplants. Knowing the best conditions for planting will help you succeed.
When to Plant Watermelons
The best time to plant watermelons varies by climate. In cooler areas, begin with seeds indoors 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost. Then, move seedlings outside when the soil hits 65°F (18°C)9. In warmer places, direct sow seeds 1-2 weeks after the last frost, when soil is at least 65°F (18°C). Seeds need soil temperatures between 70-95°F (21-35°C) to germinate well9. Germination takes 3 to 10 days at 80°F (27°C) or higher10.
Spacing and Depth for Planting Watermelons
Watermelon plants need enough space to grow. Plant seeds ½ to 1 ½ inches deep10. Put 4-6 seeds per hill and thin to 2-3 seedlings later. Hills should be 4-6 feet apart, with 2-3 feet between plants. Each plant needs about 20 square feet of space for best growth9.
| Planting Parameter | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Seed Depth | ½ – 1 ½ inches (12-38 mm) |
| Seeds per Hill | 4-6 (thin to 2-3 seedlings) |
| Hill Spacing | 4-6 feet apart |
| Plant Spacing within Hills | 2-3 feet |
| Garden Space per Plant | 20 square feet |
Using Transplants vs. Direct Seeding
Transplants and direct seeding both work for watermelon. Transplants give you an early harvest. Choose seedlings with 2-3 mature leaves and strong roots. Avoid harming the roots when moving them. Direct seeding means seeds germinate in 4-12 days11.
Use row covers on young watermelon plants until they produce both male and female flowers. This helps with pollination and fruiting.
Follow these tips for planting watermelons for a bountiful harvest. Remember to care for your plants with water, fertilizer, and pest control throughout the season.
Providing Optimal Growing Conditions
To make sure your watermelon plants do well, give them the best growing conditions. Watermelons need warm weather and lots of sunlight to grow big and sweet. Watermelon plants need at least 80 days of warm weather12. They grow best in temperatures between 70 and 85°F (21-29°C)13.
Ideal Temperature and Sunlight for Watermelons
Watermelons love the sun, so pick a spot that gets full sun all day. Plant the seeds in warm soil, around 70°F (21°C)12. For the best start, wait until the soil is 60 to 65°F deep13. After the last frost, wait 2-3 weeks before planting12.
Choose watermelon types that fit your climate. In hot places like Arizona, try Desert King and Hopi Yellow12. For cooler areas, Golden Midget and Sugar Baby are great12. Crimson Sweet and Moon and Stars are good for warm areas12.
Mulching and Weed Control
Mulching helps watermelons grow well. Black plastic mulch warms the soil early, making watermelons ripen faster13. Once it’s 75°F (24°C), use organic mulches like straw to stop weeds and keep moisture in.
Keep weeds away early to help watermelon grow. But don’t hurt the roots. As the vines spread, they’ll fight off weeds on their own. Some vines can grow up to 20 feet, so give them room12.
| Mulch Type | Benefits | When to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Black Plastic | Warms soil early, hastens growth, suppresses weeds | Early in the season |
| Organic (Straw, Leaves, etc.) | Suppresses weeds, conserves moisture, keeps fruits clean | Once soil has warmed to 75°F (24°C) |
Use row covers and hot caps to help your watermelons grow. Remove them when flowers appear to let pollination happen. Mulching keeps weeds away and saves water12.
Right conditions like warm temperatures, lots of sunlight, and good mulching lead to a great watermelon harvest.
Give your watermelon plants the best conditions for a tasty harvest. Water them well and use seaweed fertilizer when they start to set fruit12. With care, you’ll enjoy summer’s sweet flavors soon!
Watering and Fertilizing Watermelon Plants
Watering and fertilizing are key to growing healthy, sweet watermelons. Watermelons need steady moisture, especially when they’re young and growing fruit. Here are some tips for watering and fertilizing your watermelon plants right.
How Much Water Do Watermelons Need?
Watermelons need about 1 to 2 inches of water each week, from growing to fruiting1. They’re most sensitive to drought early on, until fruits start to form2. Water deeply but not too often to help roots grow deep. Cut back on watering as the fruits ripen to make them sweeter14.
Let the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dry out between waterings to grow the biggest, sweetest watermelons14.
Fertilizing Schedule for Watermelons
Watermelons love to eat and need a good fertilizing plan. Before planting, add compost or manure to the soil to help it hold water and give nutrients14. Once seedlings are up, give them a 5-5-5 or 10-10-10 fertilizer14.
When vines start to spread, give them another dose of nitrogen-based fertilizer14. Feed them again when the fruit appears. You can also side dress the vines with special fertilizers before they spread14. But don’t give them too much nitrogen after the fruit sets, as it makes more leaves instead of helping the fruit14.
| Growth Stage | Fertilizer Type | Application Method |
|---|---|---|
| Planting | Compost or well-rotted manure | Amend soil before planting |
| Seedling emergence or transplanting | 5-5-5 or 10-10-10 general all-purpose fertilizer | Top dress |
| Vines begin to run (30-60 days from planting) | Nitrogen-based fertilizer | Side dress |
| Fruit emergence | Specific fertilizers for watermelons | Side dress vines prior to running |
It’s a good idea to test your soil to figure out the best fertilizer for your watermelon plants. If you don’t test, a 5-10-10 fertilizer at 15 pounds per 500 feet works well14. Follow these tips for watering and fertilizing, and you’ll grow lots of tasty watermelons.
Training and Pruning Watermelon Vines
Managing the sprawling vines of watermelon is key to their care. These vines can grow up to 30 feet long15, making them a challenge in small gardens. With the right training and pruning, you can use your space well and get better fruit.
To save space, train your watermelon vines on sturdy trellises. A 4×7 foot trellis can hold 20-30 pounds of watermelon16. As vines grow fast, tie them to the trellis for support16. Use nylon stockings to keep heavy watermelons, up to 200 pounds15, from falling16.
Pruning is vital for watermelon care. Start pruning when plants have 3 to 4 leaves17. Prune the main vine at one foot long to encourage side shoots for more fruit17. Before flowers appear, prune secondary vines to focus energy on fruiting17. But don’t prune too much, as it can hurt photosynthesis and sugar production.
Prune best after flowering to focus plant resources on fruit17.
During flowering and fruiting, pick which fruits to keep to save nutrients17. Pruning can delay fruiting if the plant grows more vines instead15.
After harvesting, prune to remove old or sick vines17. Get rid of pruned parts right away to stop disease17. Clean your tools before and after pruning to prevent disease17.
Adjust your pruning based on the watermelon type:
- For bush-type watermelons, cut the main vine’s tips after setting fruit to focus on mature fruits17.
- For vigorous climbers like ‘Sugar Baby’, manage secondary vines to avoid tangles17.
- Grafted watermelons with strong rootstock might need more pruning to control growth17.
Using these training and pruning methods can improve your watermelon care. It helps with airflow to prevent disease and makes harvesting easier in small spaces. Pruning is key to keeping vines and fruits healthy17.
Watermelon Growing Tips for Disease and Pest Control
As a watermelon grower, it’s important to keep an eye out for pests and diseases. Using the right prevention and management strategies can help protect your crop. This way, you can enjoy a healthy harvest.
Common Watermelon Pests and How to Manage Them
Watermelon plants face threats from pests like cucumber beetles, aphids, deer, and raccoons18. Cucumber beetles damage leaves and spread bacterial wilt18. To fight these pests, use insecticides for beetles and soaps for aphids. Row covers can also keep squash vine borer adults away from your plants.
Preventing and Treating Watermelon Diseases
Watermelon plants can get fungal diseases like powdery mildew, downy mildew, anthracnose, and gummy stem blight18. These diseases cause white spots, yellow spots, dark lesions, and lesions on stems and leaves. To prevent these, choose resistant varieties, rotate crops, and use fungicides when needed18.
Home gardeners should use a mix of strategies to fight diseases. This means planting in well-drained soil, fertilizing right, checking for disease, and using fungicides when needed18. Keeping your garden clean, removing debris, and ensuring good air flow around your plants can also help prevent diseases.
| Pest/Disease | Symptoms | Management Methods |
|---|---|---|
| Cucumber Beetles | Holes in leaves, bacterial wilt | Insecticides, row covers |
| Aphids | Curled leaves, virus transmission | Insecticidal soaps |
| Powdery Mildew | White, powdery spots on leaves | Improve air circulation, fungicides |
| Downy Mildew | Yellow spots on leaves | Improve air circulation, fungicides |
| Anthracnose | Sunken, dark lesions on leaves and fruits | Disease-resistant varieties, fungicides |
| Gummy Stem Blight | Lesions on stems and leaves | Disease-resistant varieties, fungicides |
Protecting Watermelons from Critters and Extreme Weather
As your watermelons ripen, they become a tempting snack for raccoons, squirrels, and birds. To keep your harvest safe, you need to protect your watermelon patch. Covering ripening fruits with laundry baskets and bricks can keep animals away. For deer and groundhogs, a strong fence is a good idea. You can also use sprays with bad smells to keep animals away.
To stop rot and hide your watermelons, put them on straw or cardboard. This keeps them clean and dry and hides them from thieves. Using these watermelon growing tips can help you avoid losing your harvest to animals.
Keeping Animals Away from Your Watermelon Patch
To keep your watermelons safe, try these ideas:
- Install motion-activated sprinklers that startle animals when triggered
- Use humane traps to relocate pests like raccoons or groundhogs
- Plant herbs like mint or lavender to keep animals away naturally
- Keep your garden clean by removing fallen fruit
Protecting Watermelons from Heat and Cold
Protecting your watermelons from extreme weather is also key. In northern areas, late spring or early fall frosts can harm your vines. Cover them with blankets or plastic tunnels to protect them19. This helps your watermelons grow even in tough climates.
Long, cold, wet periods can make watermelons rot or taste bad. Very hot weather can also hurt your plants20. Use shade cloth or keep the soil moist to prevent these problems. By taking care of your plants and protecting them from extreme weather, you can get a great harvest.
“The key to growing great watermelons is striking a balance between protecting them from pests and providing the ideal environment for growth. With a little extra care and attention, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of sweet, juicy watermelons straight from your own garden.”
By following these watermelon growing tips and protecting your plants, you’ll grow a great watermelon patch. A bit of effort ensures your watermelons are delicious and refreshing all summer.
Determining When to Harvest Watermelons
Knowing when to pick your watermelons is key to getting the sweetest, juiciest fruits. With practice, you can tell when they’re ready. Harvesting usually happens 70 to 85 days after planting. Smaller types are ready in 70-75 days, while larger ones take 80-85 days21.
Signs of Watermelon Ripeness
Here are signs that tell you when a watermelon is ripe:
- The curly tendril near the fruit turns brown and dries up2223.
- The underside of the watermelon changes from white to creamy yellow2123.
- The rind loses its shine and gets dull, feeling tough2123.
- When you thump it, a ripe watermelon makes a hollow sound, not a sharp one2123.
- Ripe watermelons come off the vine easily with a bit of pressure, with the stem possibly cracking or turning brown22.
Watermelons ripen mostly in the last 2 weeks before they’re ready22. They won’t ripen after they’re picked212223. So, wait until they’re fully ripe before you pick them.
How to Properly Harvest Watermelons
When your watermelons show they’re ripe, it’s time to pick them. Here’s how to do it right:
- Cut the watermelon from the vine with a sharp knife, leaving a bit of stem. Don’t pull or twist the melon to avoid damage.
- Pick watermelons in the morning when the vines are cool and dry. This helps prevent disease.
- Be gentle when handling the watermelons to avoid bruises or cracks that can cause them to spoil early.
- Store your picked watermelons in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Keep them away from fruits like tomatoes, bananas, apples, and cantaloupes that produce ethylene to keep them fresh longer23.
By watching your watermelon patch and picking at the right time, you’ll get a great crop of sweet melons for the summer.
Storing and Enjoying Your Watermelon Harvest
After growing your watermelons, knowing how to store them is key. This ensures you can enjoy their sweet taste for weeks. Proper storage lets you enjoy your harvest longer.
Short-Term and Long-Term Watermelon Storage
For short-term, keep uncut watermelons at room temperature for up to two weeks24. If you have a cool spot, like a basement, they last 2-3 weeks. Once cut, wrap leftovers in plastic and refrigerate for up to 4 days25.
Freezing is great for storing watermelons long-term. Cut the watermelon into cubes or scoop it into balls. Spread them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, store them in airtight containers in the freezer for up to 6 months. Frozen watermelon is great for smoothies or refreshing drinks.
Delicious Ways to Use Homegrown Watermelons
Watermelons are not just tasty but also full of nutrients. They are mostly water, making them a refreshing snack or addition to many dishes25. They are packed with vitamins A, B6, and C, plus potassium and antioxidants like lycopene.
Here are some ways to enjoy your watermelon:
- Slice and enjoy fresh watermelon wedges as a simple treat.
- Mix diced watermelon with cucumber, mint, and feta cheese for a summer salad.
- Blend watermelon with lime juice and agave nectar for a refreshing drink.
- Puree watermelon and freeze it in an ice cream maker for a sweet sorbet.
- Grill watermelon slices for a unique flavor and serve with balsamic glaze.
- Make a spicy watermelon salsa with diced watermelon, jalapeño, red onion, and cilantro. Serve with chips or on grilled meats.
Proper storage and creative use are the keys to enjoying your watermelon harvest. Follow these tips to keep your watermelons fresh and tasty all season.
Conclusion
Growing watermelons in your garden needs the right conditions, care, and details. By using these watermelon growing tips, you can get a lot of sweet, juicy melons. They do well in warm weather, between 20°C to 25°C, and need soil that’s at least 21°C for seeds to grow26. Picking the right watermelon type for your area’s weather and soil is key24. Types like Crimson Sweet, Sugar Baby, Charleston Gray, and Jubilee vary in size, maturity, and resistance to diseases24.
Getting your soil ready is important, like tilling to help water drain well and keeping the pH right, between 6.0 and 6.824. How you plant, like starting seeds indoors or directly in the ground with 4-6 seeds per spot, helps your plants grow strong24. As they spread out, make sure they get watered once a week and a balanced fertilizer every two to three weeks for the fruit to grow24. Keep an eye out for pests, diseases, and animals and deal with them quickly. Problems like bacterial fruit blotch, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, and viruses can be fought off with good pest management27.
Knowing when to pick your watermelons is crucial for enjoying them at their best. Look for a brown tendril, a yellow spot on the bottom, and a hollow sound when you tap it to know it’s ready24. After picking, you can keep them at room temperature for up to two weeks or in the fridge for a few days after cutting24. With the right care and attention, you can enjoy the sweet taste of your own watermelon. Following these watermelon growing tips and taking the time to care for your vines will lead to a great watermelon harvest.
FAQ
What soil type and pH are best for growing watermelons?
Watermelons prefer fertile, well-drained soils that are loamy and sandy. The ideal pH is between 6.0 and 7.5. Before planting, add aged manure or compost to the soil. This improves its texture and nutrition.
How much water do watermelon plants need?
Watermelon vines need about 1-2 inches of water each week. This can come from rain or irrigation. Water deeply but not too often to help roots grow deep.
As the fruits ripen, cut back on watering. This makes them taste sweeter and better.
What are some common watermelon pests and diseases?
Aphids, whiteflies, cucumber beetles, and vine borers are pests that bother watermelons. Fungal diseases like powdery mildew, downy mildew, anthracnose, and gummy stem blight are also common.
Use disease-resistant seeds, rotate crops, and apply fungicides to fight these problems.
How can I protect my watermelons from animals?
Cover ripening fruits with laundry baskets and weigh them down with bricks. If needed, use a fence to keep out deer and groundhogs. Sprays with bad smells can also keep animals away.
What are the signs that a watermelon is ripe and ready to harvest?
Check for these signs to know when watermelons are ripe: the curly tendril turns brown and dry, the underside turns from white to yellow, the rind loses its shine, and it sounds hollow when tapped.
How should I store my harvested watermelons?
Store watermelons at room temperature for 7-10 days or in a cool place for 2-3 weeks. Keep them at 45-50°F (7-10°C). Cut fruits can stay in the fridge, wrapped in plastic, for 4 days.
Watermelon also freezes well for up to 6 months.