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 5a 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

Your comments and tips

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12 Nov 19, Another gardener (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi I'M from Australia. I comment on Aust and NZ Gardenate questions. This website tells you when to plant and provides information about growing the crop. If there is not enough info here go onto GOOGLE and search. Check the calendar about when to plant - it is that simple. Or find a plant on the Vegetables and herbs tab. (Find your zone on the Climate zone tab, then make sure that is showing at the top of the plant page to get the correct information for your area)
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04 Nov 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What fertiliser do you use and where do you put it. Also how often do you water?
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05 Nov 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is best to prepare your soil and add the fertiliser (compost, manures, in-organic fert , organic fert) when preparing it unless you want to use these soil enhancers that have very little NPK.
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05 Nov 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Most veges just need an all round fertiliser. Leafy veges a bit more N, fruity/root veges a bit more P/ K. Read up about what N P K does in the soil. that will determine what you put on. But it is impossible to go and buy 20 different fertilisers for 20 different plants. I buy the same fertiliser to fertilise all my vegetable, lawn and shrubs. Also look at crop rotation. A leafy crop will take the N out, so you might plant a root crop after. When plants are very small they need a light watering each day, as they grow you can water less often but put more water on. Plants half grown need watering each 2-3 days. The amount depends on how big that plant grows. You would water lettuce a lot less than 1.8m high tomatoes. I water 3 days a week.
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23 Oct 19, Dumi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi. I am in Herkpoort, in the South of Johannesburg. Can I plant watermelons late November? Where can I get seedlings in GAuteng.
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13 Nov 19, anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Usually have to plant seeds.
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13 Oct 19, Mokone j mahlatsi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi can you assist with black diamond watermelon and citrulus lanatus Carolina cross How must I plant and grow ? Thank you
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14 Nov 19, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
search on-line for 'how to grow watermelon from seed'
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23 Sep 19, jamie clodial (Australia - tropical climate)
what are the harvesting conditions to grow watermelon
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30 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Are you growing them or harvesting them?
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Showing 111 - 120 of 343 comments
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Watermelons are like pumpkins and do well with plenty of manure and water. Before you plant them dig a hole as deep as you can without going into the hard clay. Put some old newspapers or denim jeans in the bottom of the hole and then add as much old rotted animal manure and household scraps into the hole. Cover the hole in the the topsoil leaving a mound. When it is time to plant the seeds in the mound and give them a good watering. Your watermelons will grow well and the newspaper or old jeans will help hold water.

- John

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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