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 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

09 Mar 21, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
You are probably at the end of the growing season for watermelons. You can either persevere and hope it grows or pull it out and plant something in season.
03 Sep 20, Kay (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What fertiliser is best for watermelons?
08 Sep 20, Danlo Troth (Australia - temperate climate)
My grandfather was always using old n dry cow poo. Just make sure to really dig it in and mix well into the dirt.
09 Sep 20, Anonymous (Australia - arid climate)
Old dried out cow poo has probably lost a lot of it's nutrient value, leached out with gravity and rain etc. Any manures need to be made into a compost material asap to retain as much of the nutrient as possible. Or you dig it into your soil over 6-12 weeks and with air water and turning it, it breaks down into the soil. The greatest benefit of organic material put back into the soil is it makes the soil loose and friable, which means it then drains well.
04 Sep 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Just look for a general garden fertiliser. There is not that much difference in them
26 Apr 20, Phillip Bellis (Australia - tropical climate)
We are having a watermelon growing comp. at a school just out of Darwin. Seedlings are just a week old in pots. When would be the best time/age of seedlings to transplant. Weather is warm at 32-35 C and dry but being watered 2x a day. Thanks
27 Apr 20, Another gardener (Australia - tropical climate)
The leaves that come out on germination are called the cotyledons, then come the first true leaves. When you have the 3-4 set of true leaves transplant them. I grow things in 500gm margarine containers, when the seedlings have grown to the above stage (like about 100mm high and round) the soil in the container has lots of roots in it to hold the soil together when you take the plant out to transplant, try and keep that all in tact. Best to tip upside down into one hand gently. Don't over do the nitrogen - you will end up with a lot of vine.
22 Apr 20, Lisa (Australia - temperate climate)
My daughter (7) planted her watermelons seeds several weeks ago and has been watering and tending to them ever since. Today, we noticed a little sprout- very surprising I have to say! Will this melon grow? If so, how long till we see a melon? We live in South West of western Australia
22 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Wrong time of the year to plant really, try spring time later this year. Some flowers will just be a flower (male), some will have a small melon on them(female). If the female flower is pollinated then the melon will grow, if not it will die. You can pollinate by hand. Read on the internet how to do it. Melons take about 3-4 weeks to grow and then 3-4 weeks to mature.
01 Mar 20, Kerrie (Australia - tropical climate)
A few weeks ago I harvested the last of my watermelon. I lost a few due to the rain and too much water. I live in the coastal area of Brisbane. A few plants have self seeded, is it too late for them to bare fruit ?
Showing 21 - 30 of 173 comments

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