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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08 Jan 12, julie (Australia - arid climate)
can anybody please explain why would watermelon plants would be pale in appearance. They have been watered frequently and fed every 4-6 weeks. Regards Julie
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10 Nov 11, Nick. L-S (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi folks, I'm looking for a good variety suited to manly nsw climate. That is to say, coastal, temperate/sub tropical.
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15 Aug 11, Linda Black (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What variety of watermelon will grow best in Ballina NSW. Do you know any suppliers of these seeds around this area? Thanks Linda
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02 Sep 11, Oli (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown the variety Sugar baby succesfuly around Byron Bay. The melons are the best I have ever had, juicy and extremely sweet and they seem to suit warm climates. You can buy the seeds from places like Bunnings or Mitre 10, or if you want organic seeds then there is great supplier called Greenpatch Seeds based in Taree that will post you seeds for $2. Good Luck!
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08 Jul 11, Fringe Dweller (Australia - arid climate)
''ýou'll never never know if u don't give it a go" From my expeirence of using wicking beds, as long as u have set up your bed correctly, watermelons should grow successfully,provided they get adequate summer heat. I experienced 46C on the day of the Victorian Black Saturday bushfires, the only vegetable bed that didn't die on that day was the one set up as a wicking bed. I rest my case.
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05 Jul 11, Frogdancer (Australia - temperate climate)
Just wondering if planting watermelon in a wicking bed would solve the problem of how much water and when to give it. I'm in the throes of setting up wicking beds and it occurred to me that maybe watermelon would be a crop that would do well. Any thoughts?
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01 Aug 11, Phillip (Australia - temperate climate)
@Frogdancer. Every thing grows better in a wicking bed. Perfect watering system.
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21 May 11, wayne (Australia - tropical climate)
growing melons is one of the most rewarding task you can do in your garden,but be warned...they will not tolerate, frost.at all.
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25 Mar 11, TERRY (USA - Zone 8b climate)
this will be my first time to try. i have a couple of old tires at home. my grandsons want to plant a garden. can i plant the cucumbers and watermelons in them.
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18 Mar 18, Dann Ferrin (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Heck give it a try nothing gambeled nothing gained
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Showing 281 - 290 of 353 comments
See comments for all plants

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.

- anon

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