Growing Watermelon

Cucurbitaceae c. lanatus : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
P P             P P P P

(Best months for growing Watermelon in South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical regions)

  • 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for South Africa | for all countries
23 Oct 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Check on the internet for size - seed companies.
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19 Oct 20, Mokone Mahlatsi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi my question is I plant Carolina crosse watermelon it growing very well but the problem is not sweetheart y ? Thank you
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29 May 20, Farai Mutsago (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can l buy watermelon seeds in Polokwane or Mussina
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07 Jan 20, Alice Mukondyo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
can red melon be found in Sa all year round???
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09 Jan 20, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Are you asking about the seeds or the melon to buy.?
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18 Nov 19, Bickie Mbenge (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Which sweet large watermelon do you recommend for me. I want to start watermelon farming. Please recommend seeds name. Regards
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19 Nov 19, anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I suggest you phone your agricultural department and ask. Generally it comes down to what kind of melon you want to grow, seeded, seedless, big, small. Check out a few internet seed selling companies also and read up about the different varieties.
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06 Nov 19, Imran Mbongzee (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hello please can I plant watermelon in December am in jhb
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12 Nov 19, Another gardener (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi I'M from Australia. I comment on Aust and NZ Gardenate questions. This website tells you when to plant and provides information about growing the crop. If there is not enough info here go onto GOOGLE and search. Check the calendar about when to plant - it is that simple. Or find a plant on the Vegetables and herbs tab. (Find your zone on the Climate zone tab, then make sure that is showing at the top of the plant page to get the correct information for your area)
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23 Oct 19, Dumi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi. I am in Herkpoort, in the South of Johannesburg. Can I plant watermelons late November? Where can I get seedlings in GAuteng.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 82 comments
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Water melons must have been invented for rank amateurs. I live in Coconut Grove, Darwin, NT and have zero gardening experience, but decided to plant some water melon seeds (in pots) at the end of October - build up time to our summer wet season. They germinated fast so out into the garden they went with a lot less ground preparation than there could have been. They grew, started producing flowers (male only for quite some time) so I kept watering them with the odd bit of general purpose soluble plant food. I haven't seen any diseases so they haven't been sprayed - apart from the termite man's overspray with he did my house's annual ant and spider treatment. Then, in early December, growth went up a few notches; I could see how far a vine had grown in a day. They started taking over the garden. Flowers appeared everywhere, as did tiny native bees to attend to pollination. Every few days a small watermelon appeared and quickly got bigger. At that point I sought some advice from a local garden shop on what I should be doing; they told me to keep watering and sold me some organic fertilizer pellets to feed them with. Now they've taken over the garden, have started climbing fences and keep on producing new melons. I'd never have imagined it could be that easy.

- Grahame B

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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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