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
  • Mature watermelon
  • Melon flower
  • Watermelon

Large, round or oval, smooth green skinned, delicious, sweet pink fleshed melon.

Some have stripes on the skin.

Some varieties will produce fruit up to 14 kg (31 US pounds).

Harvest when the part in contact with the ground is turning yellow and the fruit sounds hollow when tapped.

Watermelon needs plenty of room to grow as it sends out long vines

Needs a long warm season to mature.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Watermelon

Cut up and eat in slices.
Use to make fruit drinks.
Use in fruit salads.

Your comments and tips

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.
18 Mar 18, Dann Ferrin (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Heck give it a try nothing gambeled nothing gained
22 Jun 13, Mike Enis (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Forget about thumping a melon and listening for a hollow sound. Where the stem of the melon comes off the vine there will be a small tendril. When this tendril dries up and turns brown, and the bottom of the melon has turned from white to a yellowish cream color, wait two to three days then harvest your melon. It will be perfectly ripe. Guaranteed!
19 Nov 16, Amanda (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Thank you. That's good info.
18 Apr 14, (USA - Zone 8b climate)
What kind of watermelon should i plant Ib 8 b
26 Jul 17, Mariam (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I stay near Orlando. I planted some watermelon seeds in a pot inside my house few days ago. Now 2 of them are growing in the pot. Then I don't know should I take the pot out and put it in the yard or keep it at home to grow. Also the pot is small, should I take the baby plants out and plant them in the yard? Thanks for your help.
06 Jan 18, khalil (USA - Zone 12a climate)
hi, please i need best F1 watermelon, tomato, cucumber & squash seeds growing well in USDA Zones 11b - 12a ( very hot climates and dry ) thanks
12 Mar 18, DANIEL Etheridge (USA - Zone 8b climate)
when should i plant watermelon in zone 8b apple valley California 92308
18 Aug 18, Tammy (USA - Zone 10a climate)
What are the best garden layouts for melons tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers? Not sure what can grow next to what best
02 Sep 18, Murray freeman (Canada - Zone 6a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
What are sweetest watermelon that can be grown in 6a
Showing 1 - 10 of 47 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Watermelon

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.