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

09 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
It is great to see your enthusiasm for growing food. The four needs of all living things are Sunshine, Food, Water and Care. Sunshine is free so we need to provide the other three. Adding old manure in the Autumn, providing consistent water and mulching in the summer to conserve water and help control weeds will all help produce good crops. The other things are - planting the right variety for the time of the year and removing weeds which use the food and water in the soil. If you look up the Dept of Agriculture or Primary Industries in the internet they will have people or Information Sheets thet will help. All the best with your plans.
05 Feb 17, jenny philippi (Australia - tropical climate)
we have planted potatoes in our veg but all of a sudden this vine appears and weeks later we realize it is a watermelon vine your page said watermelons should be avoided planting with potatoes. ours came up on their own. will both survive?
06 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
They may not be good companions but if both are doing wellit's not going to cost you anything to let them go. If the melon roots are intertwined with a potato you may have to leave that potato until the tops of both die down
16 Jan 17, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can anyone give details of how to prune runners/vines of watermelons to achieve better fruit in Canterbury? I was told quite a few years ago that this is a good method in colder climates to encourage better fruit and good ripening.
20 Jan 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Probably the best thing to do is to buy heritage seeds that have been listed as originating in short season climates like Canada and the northern USA. They have a much shorter growing season. The other alternative is to wait until 2 or maybe 3 melons have formed and then cut all subsequent runners off to give the plant the most to put into those 2 or 3 melons. Trust this helps.
05 Jan 17, Teboho (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
If you do not have access to cow manure, but nitrogen rich fertilizers or otherwise, pour a mixture of 2 water and 1 urine on the plan roots...it has worked for me for more than five years
05 Jun 17, daphney (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
good day, Teboho i need assistant on growin watermelon please contact me on 0762666393 and assist
25 Oct 16, kelvin mutisya (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
which varieties of watermelon can do best in semi arid areas
03 Oct 16, kwakhe (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Water melon seeds What is the spacing in between when I planting them
27 Jul 16, jade walters (Australia - temperate climate)
watermelons are the best fruit I have ever had
Showing 211 - 220 of 353 comments

I have done watermelon seeds in September month & they have come up & r doing well so har. When is the best time to plant them in the ground they r about 1 inch high each I have 4 of them

- Tracy smith

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.