How to Grow Watermelons
Choose the variety of watermelon you want to grow., Choose a planting location., Till the soil.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Choose the variety of watermelon you want to grow.
These fruits come in sizes ranging from 3 pounds to over 70 pounds (1.3kg to 32kg), and with either red, orange, or yellow flesh.Jubilee, Charleston Grey, and Congo are large, cylindrical varieties, while Sugar Baby and Ice Box are two smaller, globe shaped types.
Decide whether to plant watermelon seeds or transplants.Watermelon seeds need to germinate at a temperature over 70 degrees.
If you live in a cool climate, it might make sense to start them indoors a few weeks before the last frost, so you'll be able get the seedlings underway at the beginning of the growing season.
Otherwise, plan to plant the seeds directly in the ground well after the last frost, when the temperature is holding steady at above 70 degrees.
Watermelon seeds and transplants are available at nurseries in early spring. -
Step 2: Choose a planting location.
Watermelon plants need a minimum of 6 hours of sun every day.
They produce large vines that spread and take up a lot of space; plan on allotting a 4 by 6 foot plot for each plant, unless you're planting a mini-watermelon variety. , Use a tiller to work the soil for the beds thoroughly, breaking up large clumps of packed earth.
Remove any vegetative matter or deeply incorporate it into the soil.
Watermelons like loamy, fertile, well-drained soil.
To determine whether your soil gets good enough drainage, take a look at it after a heavy rain.
If you see puddles in the dirt, the soil isn't draining well enough.
To further enrich the soil, till compost into the top of layers.Watermelons grow best in soil with a pH of
6.0 to
6.8.
Test the pH of your soil and determine whether the levels are appropriate for watermelon plants.
If not, you can change the balance by adding compounds available for purchase at a plant nursery. -
Step 3: Till the soil.
Detailed Guide
These fruits come in sizes ranging from 3 pounds to over 70 pounds (1.3kg to 32kg), and with either red, orange, or yellow flesh.Jubilee, Charleston Grey, and Congo are large, cylindrical varieties, while Sugar Baby and Ice Box are two smaller, globe shaped types.
Decide whether to plant watermelon seeds or transplants.Watermelon seeds need to germinate at a temperature over 70 degrees.
If you live in a cool climate, it might make sense to start them indoors a few weeks before the last frost, so you'll be able get the seedlings underway at the beginning of the growing season.
Otherwise, plan to plant the seeds directly in the ground well after the last frost, when the temperature is holding steady at above 70 degrees.
Watermelon seeds and transplants are available at nurseries in early spring.
Watermelon plants need a minimum of 6 hours of sun every day.
They produce large vines that spread and take up a lot of space; plan on allotting a 4 by 6 foot plot for each plant, unless you're planting a mini-watermelon variety. , Use a tiller to work the soil for the beds thoroughly, breaking up large clumps of packed earth.
Remove any vegetative matter or deeply incorporate it into the soil.
Watermelons like loamy, fertile, well-drained soil.
To determine whether your soil gets good enough drainage, take a look at it after a heavy rain.
If you see puddles in the dirt, the soil isn't draining well enough.
To further enrich the soil, till compost into the top of layers.Watermelons grow best in soil with a pH of
6.0 to
6.8.
Test the pH of your soil and determine whether the levels are appropriate for watermelon plants.
If not, you can change the balance by adding compounds available for purchase at a plant nursery.
About the Author
Samuel Jones
Samuel Jones is an experienced writer with over 12 years of expertise in educational content. Passionate about sharing practical knowledge, Samuel creates easy-to-follow guides that help readers achieve their goals.
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