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 Feb 11, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi. Watermelons don't need much water at all. If you've ever been to W.A., you'll see them growing on the side of the road. They, like all melons, store water in the melon bit. They grow a bit bigger with more water, but don't need excessive water at all. They can get weak if you do so, and rot, or become easy prey for burrowing bugs. If you just water them normally, you will get more melons, and better tasting. Hope this helps.
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25 Jan 18, Martin (Australia - tropical climate)
I want to grow seedless watermelons in Philippines. Typical temps between 25 and 30 c. Humidity 80 to 90%. What I read about germinating tells me I need cooler temp than I ever have. 600 meter elevation, facing southeast
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10 Jan 12, julie (Australia - arid climate)
Hi Adam. Thank you for your comment. I may well be overwatering the plants. Will back off on water and see what happens. Regards Julie
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06 Feb 11, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Do watermelons get blossom end rot? I have a few melons that have a black rotting spot at the end opposite the stem that looks rather like blossom end rot. Is this the case and what can I do?
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24 Mar 11, Geoff (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi John.. The black rotton spot occurs when the plant has dried out when it has fruit on it. The vine must have a constant supply of moisture when fruit is growing. Hope this helps
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06 Feb 11, Veronika (Australia - temperate climate)
My question is if can be the watermelon plants overwatered? I've got the first fruit beautifully grown for almost the finished size, but the others are seem like going to die before grow to big. I was told that it needs plenty of water. Do I give it too much?
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15 May 11, mohmed (Australia - tropical climate)
too much water will make crack on the watermelon don"t over water plant please for your case i think you need Potassium
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27 Jan 11, robyn (Australia - temperate climate)
i have 3 vines which have lots of flowers and fruit are growing quickley.i would like to know if the vines should be pruned so all energy goes into already established fruit or just leave the plant alone t grow long runners.
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30 Jan 11, Adam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Robyn your best to avoid pruning the vines as the leaves are a very important part of producing your fruit, what your best off doing is if you have enough melons and want to prevent anymore forming just remove the new ones that are developing and let the vines keep growing and all the energy will go into the existing fruit.
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27 Oct 10, Davis (Australia - tropical climate)
How well do watermelons grow in the Australian tropics in the wet season?
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Showing 291 - 300 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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