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

28 Sep 22, Garry (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello there,just wondering if I can grow watermelon and rockmelon close together. Thanks Garry.
18 Oct 22, Albert (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Plants only cross pollinate within their own species. Watermelon (citrullus lanatus) and Rockmelon (cucumis melo) will not cross. Bees can cross pollination and they can travel up to 2 km, this is the (?)
29 Sep 22, (Australia - tropical climate)
Depends how close - 5-10m away would be OK. I wouldn't do 1-2m apart - cross pollination.
26 Sep 22, Brodie O'Donnell (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Can I grow watermelons in Southland.?
29 Sep 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to watermelon - set climate zone to NZ - cool mountain. Check the calander planting guide. Now to the end of the year.
07 Feb 22, Laura g Gatt (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi hope you can help me, I live in Sydney. I have huge Vine of watermelon lots of flowers but no fruit very few bees thanks regards Laura
08 Feb 22, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)
Watermelons, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini's all have both male and female flowers on the same vine. For some unexplained reason some plants produce lots of male flowers and few female flowers. The male flowers have a longer spindly stem and the female flowers have an unformed fruit at the base of the flower. If you have female flowers and fruit are not forming it would indicate a lack of pollination by bees or other insects. If you pick some male flowers and remove the petals you can hand pollinate the flowers by putting the male flower, minus the petals, into the female flower to transfer pollen and fertilise the flower. You could use a couple of male flowers with each female flower to ensure that the pollen is ripe. leave a few male flowers on the plant for subsequent flowering. If there are few or no female flowers you can only wait and hope that some appear. Trust this helps.
07 Feb 22, Anonymous of Bundaberg (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read up about hand pollinating. Have to do in the morning before lunch.
02 Jun 21, Val Tanguilig (Australia - tropical climate)
What varieties of water melons are best for winter growing at Carnarvon area, Western Australia? Thanks heaps!
08 Mar 21, Lannu (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I bought a melon plant from bunnings and I'm planting it separated from another plants for a good grow but this is the 4th week and it's only a foot long now the growth. So I'm not sure if it's normal I thought it should be fast growing like pumpkin plants? Please waiting for your response.
Showing 11 - 20 of 173 comments

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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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