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

Your comments and tips

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23 Jan 14, Dean (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Gwen, could it be Cream of Saskatchewan? Look it up at diggers.com.au and you'll see a pic that looks like what you describe, they even refer to the champagne coloured flesh.
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02 Nov 13, To (Australia - temperate climate)
What do I use to fertiliz my watermelon?
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24 Feb 13, yildiz (Australia - arid climate)
I get all my seeds from what i eat at the shop.eg.watermellon,rockmellon etc...
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31 Dec 12, sue (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow Khale in January in melbourne
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19 Oct 12, James (Australia - temperate climate)
Do I need more than one watermelon plant growing to pollinate between or would one plant bear fruit? Thanks for any help.
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30 Jun 13, Anja (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You need bees to pollinate watermelon
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15 Nov 12, Geoff (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi James.. Watermelons are self pollinating, so only one plant is needed, unless you are growing seedless melons which require a pollinator.
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29 Sep 12, michael (Australia - tropical climate)
why in my garden the watermelons are not growing ????please anwser back thank you
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08 Sep 12, Rod (Australia - temperate climate)
what is compatibale to grow with watermelon?
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12 Sep 12, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Not 100% sure of watermelon but pumpkin, squash and cucumber like sweet corn. All the best.
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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.

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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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