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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29 Aug 14, Brendan (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi Kerry, I make fruit fly traps to catch most of them as they destroy my fruit. Cut the top of a coke bottle off and invert it back into the base section. Make a small hole in the cap so the fly enters but cannot leave. In the bottle, place a piece of banana and add "Apple Cider Vinegar" Do not cover the banana completely. Once the banana starts to ferment in the vinegar the smell attracts the flies. Good Luck....
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23 Jan 16, Andre Lotz (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Thanks for the FF trap. I gave up on watermelons as EVERY fruit gets stung. We use a similat trap for mozzies! Andre
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02 Feb 14, Thabo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What causes the watermelons to crack and open up?
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19 Nov 19, anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Too much water.
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02 Feb 14, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Irregular watering or lots of rain just as they ripen will make them split as they suck in a load of water after being dry for a while. Also temperature changes between cold at night and hot in the day - a straw mulch around the melons can help keep the temperatures even.
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14 Sep 13, Mmoloki Lejowa (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What is the spacing - Between the rows and between the plants
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30 Sep 13, jeanne (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
space 1 meter around the seedling
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22 Jul 13, neville (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
what can i use for fruitflies?
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27 Sep 13, Brendan (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Did you know? • Fennel repels flies and fleas. • Thyme and dill repel cabbage moth. • Rosemary repels leafhoppers, aphids and caterpillars. • Mint is vulnerable to caterpillar attacks but repels many other insects. • Wormwood repels fruit fly. • Tarragon helps repel snails. • Garlic repels many insects.
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Showing 71 - 79 of 79 comments
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I'm growing them for the first time, in Manawatu. So far with the heat and sun we've been having they're doing well. But they'll need a long season, so fingers crossed. My first transplant died in the wind, so shelter is important, in Wellington too :-)

- Uta

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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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