Growing Watermelon

Cucurbitaceae c. lanatus : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
    T T                
    P P                

(Best months for growing Watermelon in USA - Zone 8a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 70°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 24 - 30 inches apart
  • Harvest in 12-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, Sunflowers
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes
  • Mature watermelon
  • Melon flower
  • Watermelon

Large, round or oval, smooth green skinned, delicious, sweet pink fleshed melon.

Some have stripes on the skin.

Some varieties will produce fruit up to 14 kg (31 US pounds).

Harvest when the part in contact with the ground is turning yellow and the fruit sounds hollow when tapped.

Watermelon needs plenty of room to grow as it sends out long vines

Needs a long warm season to mature.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Watermelon

Cut up and eat in slices.
Use to make fruit drinks.
Use in fruit salads.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
13 Jun 25, Suzy Georges (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi. I live In Sydney new Australia, I don't know my zone of growing vegetables, I am very interesting to grow watermelons and other melons like honeydew, rockmelons, but I have not good knowledge of how and when to start sow the seeds, and what is the best fertilizer and how often to put it on, and how much and when to water the watermelons, I tried 2 times but I failed, and I don't know what is the best seeds to buy to grow large and sweet watermelons I love to see watermelon growing and show my children so they get excited to see watermelons in our yard, please can you teach me in a simple way to understand how to stat and how to take full care on growing watermelons thank you. Best Regards Suzy
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11 Nov 24, Alison (Australia - temperate climate)
About to plant some watermelon seedlings - do they tend to have one trailing growth or many? Should I cut any secondary growths off to help promote growth on a single length? This will also help decide where I plant them.
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16 Nov 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Just let the whole plant grow.
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07 Nov 24, Xander Mutch (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hey I just planted a watermelon seed in a pot, how often should I water it and should I leave the pot in the sun all day or where should I leave the pot for the seed to grow?
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16 Nov 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Depending on the size of the pot - daily and when plant is big maybe couple of times a day. I don't think you will produce much from growing in a pot. A watermelon plant covers an area of 4-6m diameter.
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14 Oct 24, Moses (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Please need your advice to one of my favorite crob.Watermellon. when exactly can I plant this crop.and what seeds please I been trying to put seeds of watermelon but nothing come even the small plant.to show the plant is coming up and growing in south Africa is October please help me.Thanks Moses.
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31 Oct 24, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Plant Sept to Nov - plenty of water after they start growing.
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12 Sep 24, Dorothy Sinclair (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi, I stay in Witbank, Mmpumalnga, South Africa. Which fertilizer can I use to help my watermelons grow well? Thank you Dorothy
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24 Jul 24, Eric (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Caregiver can I plant watermelons in November or December zone 9
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21 Sep 24, Gerald (USA - Zone 7a climate)
You can 'grow' them but it is highly unlikely they will bear fruit. You may get lovely little yellow flowers but as I said, no fruit. IF you have the ability to start them early indoors they sprout and grow quickly. Remember they need at least 12 full weeks of full sun to bear fruit. Either way these are easy to grow and will supply you with a beautiful lush green vine. It is easy. Have fun, I did! (zone 7 here, lush vines, sweet little flowers, alas, no fruit). Good Luck, Gerry
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