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

29 Nov 17, Toni (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Has anyone growen watermelons in Wellington?
28 Dec 17, Uta (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I'm growing them for the first time, in Manawatu. So far with the heat and sun we've been having they're doing well. But they'll need a long season, so fingers crossed. My first transplant died in the wind, so shelter is important, in Wellington too :-)
26 Jan 18, Sally (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I’m in the Manawatu also and have 5 watermelons on my plant, never had success before, it’s been so hot that I’m thrilled to have fruit!! Hope yours have been a success too.
22 Feb 19, Ane (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I'm in Manawatu as well and have 2 plants growing, each have about 6-8 melons. A couple of them are almost the size of a netball and the rest are slightly larger then a tennis ball. Fingers crossed they keep growing:)
26 Nov 17, Jilly (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I would.like to know why lately a lot of supermarket watermelons are rubbery and soft in texture?? ..ugly to eat..not lovely and crisp
18 Oct 17, Micheal Ntisetsang (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I've planted watermelon on 09/09/17 and it is still developing vines and they are 50 to 60 cm long but surprisingly they are flowering at the same time pls advise on what to do
14 Sep 17, william (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Were can I find watermelons in limpopo
01 Sep 17, Coccinelle (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 1m square veg boxes. In one I've only planted a few pumpkin seedlings. Can i use the rest of the space to grow watermelon? Will they be compatible?
04 Sep 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
In that space, you will only be able to grow 1 or 2 pumpkin or watermelon vines. Both require a lot of room.
04 Sep 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A 1 square meter garden would only support about1- 2 pumpkin plants. Or only 1-2 water melons. About 3-4 cucumber plants. Just think how big the plants will grow and how much nutrient they will require.
Showing 191 - 200 of 355 comments

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