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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20 Nov 08, Rosie (Australia - temperate climate)
Ahhhh!!! Thanks Chris - the temps are still a little low at night..
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16 Nov 08, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Rosie, maybe your nights aren't warm enough yet? They grow best with days 20-35C and night temperatures over 18C.
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16 Nov 08, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Matt, a combination of things indicate when the melons are ripe: The light green tendrils on the stem near the point of attachment of the melon turn brown and dry, the skin of the fruit turns dull, the skin becomes hard to penetrate with a thumbnail and feels rough, and the bottom of the melon (where it lies on the soil) turns from light green to yellowish.
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14 Nov 08, Rosie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I live just south of Perth and have planted organic watermelon seeds, the seedlings seem to be taking a lonnnnggg time to get bigger. They are planted on mounds and i have improved the soil (read sand) but am thinking maybe i did not improve it enough?? I am a newby having just turned into a garden nut, any help would be appreciated. Thanks
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10 Mar 08, Matt Rieck (Unknown climate)
I planted some watermelon seeds about 6 months age and they are still not ripe. Green inside. They are still attached to the vine and the attachment is still green. The bottom is a pale slightly yellow. The crop has yielded around 100 melons and a mediun sized one weights 14 kgs. I have no option but to leave them growing till the vine falls off. Is this a good solution Regards Matt
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Showing 351 - 355 of 355 comments
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I am growing a variety of watermelon called "red rocket". These are supposed to be, according to the tag, large oblong-shaped with a high yield, however, the only 2 fruit I have growing are just the size of small rockmelons and appear to have stopped growing. The oldest of these 2 is about 5 weeks now. Are my expectations of what is called large fruit and high yield too high, or do I need to do something to help them along. I have recently used Dynamic Lifter For Fruit and Citrus in the patch but am unsure if this will help. The other problem is that, although the plant is very vigorous and has plenty of flowers, it doesn't seem to fruit, even though I've used the brush trick to help pollinate. The only thing I can think of is that it doesn't get a lot of sun, but if this was the problem would that not also affect the quantity of flowers and health of the vine?

- Jo

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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.
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