Growing Watermelon

Cucurbitaceae c. lanatus : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

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

(Best months for growing Watermelon in Australia - sub-tropical 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 21°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 60 - 75 cm apart
  • Harvest in 12-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, Sunflowers
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

12 Mar 18, DANIEL Etheridge (USA - Zone 8b climate)
when should i plant watermelon in zone 8b apple valley California 92308
09 Mar 18, Justin .C (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted 2 watermelons in early summer & they produced 3 good sized fruits, 2 are still on the vine & now the vine is sending out lots of runners with numerous fruits which I have pollinated, it's now early Autumn. Will these fruits mature or does the vine die off once the cooler weather starts?
11 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Let them grow they probably will produce fruit but probably not as good as the first 3. Yes the plants will die back some time.
18 Feb 18, Lynn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have tomatoes growing with a watermelon vine. The watermelon is doing well, but the tomatoes’ leaves are growing distorted. Does anyone know about interplanting these two crops? Should I pull the tomatoes out?
20 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Tomato yellow leaf curl virus went through southern Qld back in 2009 or so. It has probably spread far wider by now. The leaf is like your hand with the fingers still curled in. The leaf doesn't open out and grow. The plant becomes stunted. Caused by the silver winged fly. Look it up on the internet. It can be stopped with a soap spray. If no success pull it out and put in rubbish bin. It wiped out the tomato growing industry in Bundaberg.
16 Feb 18, david harris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
had any one have black water melon seeds for sale -
19 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Internet seed selling companies - Boondie is one. $1 for a few.
06 Jan 18, khalil (USA - Zone 12a climate)
hi, please i need best F1 watermelon, tomato, cucumber & squash seeds growing well in USDA Zones 11b - 12a ( very hot climates and dry ) thanks
10 Dec 17, mahlatsi j mokone (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I plant my carolinacross watermelon on 20nvember 2017 it ryte time or wat?
09 Dec 17, Sarah Gumede (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am in Nkomazi around Nelspruit and I want to plant watermelon. Today is the 10 of December. Where can I get them meaning the seeds. I would like to have the seedless type. Can I still plant them
Showing 181 - 190 of 355 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Watermelon

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.