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
  • 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
11 Nov 24, Alison (Australia - temperate climate)
About to plant some watermelon seedlings - do they tend to have one trailing growth or many? Should I cut any secondary growths off to help promote growth on a single length? This will also help decide where I plant them.
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16 Nov 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Just let the whole plant grow.
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07 Nov 24, Xander Mutch (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hey I just planted a watermelon seed in a pot, how often should I water it and should I leave the pot in the sun all day or where should I leave the pot for the seed to grow?
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16 Nov 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Depending on the size of the pot - daily and when plant is big maybe couple of times a day. I don't think you will produce much from growing in a pot. A watermelon plant covers an area of 4-6m diameter.
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18 May 24, Lea (Australia - temperate climate)
Can watermelon seeds be left in the ground once plant dies off . Never tried planting watermelon before and not a huge success so far
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28 May 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
For best results it is best to plant seeds when they suggest.
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11 Mar 24, Lea (Australia - temperate climate)
How long do they take from seed
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22 Mar 24, Celeste Archer (Australia - temperate climate)
From seed to harvest involves two phases: 1. Germination (from seed to seedling) 2. Days to harvest which is from seedling to harvest. For your seeds to germinate you need proper germination temperatures and some water (and sunlight). The germination temperature and days to germinate varies by variety -- watermelon seeds tend to like VERY warm temps for germination with germination in about 3 days at 30c and about 10 days at 20c. I would factor about 14 days for germination as a general rule of thumb. Days to harvest varies by variety with smaller varieties taking about 60 days and larger varieties taking closer to 90 days. ‘Charleston Gray’ harvests in 85 days, while Little Darling takes 65 to 70 days, Carolina Cross takes 100 days. I think most varieties fall into the 80-90 day category. Overall, I would allow 114 days, provided the conditions are GOOD (close to optimal) for watermelon from seed for most varieties -- and about 85 days for the smaller (smallest varieties) and you're looking at about 120 days for the really LARGE watermelons.
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19 Mar 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the notes here.
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19 Mar 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the notes here.
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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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