Worst Companion Plants for Watermelons For this reason, avoid planting asparagus, broccoli, and pumpkins near watermelons. Cucumbers – Because they suffer from the same pests (cucumber beetles), watermelons and cucumbers generally do better when not planted together.
What should you not plant next to watermelon?
The best plants to companion with watermelons are herbs, lettuces, marigolds, nasturtiums, and radishes. Avoid planting cucumbers, squash, and potatoes near watermelons to help reduce the risk of pests.
What can be intercropped with watermelon?
Good choices include dwarf bee balm, snap dragons or poppies. Marigolds will not only attract bees, but will also deter aphids. Cotton – Studies indicate intercropping cotton with watermelons doesn’t decrease melon yields, but allows cotton to be harvested from the same field.
What is a good companion plant for watermelon?
Flowers: Watermelons rely on insects like bees to help it produce fruit—that’s why flowering plants with appealing scents like marigolds, lavender, and borage make good companions for watermelon plants. These flowers also repel aphids, which can be particularly destructive to watermelon leaves and tendrils.
What should not be planted near asparagus?
There are two main crops to avoid growing alongside asparagus:
- Alliums. Alliums like leeks, garlic, and onion sharing the soil with asparagus are said to stunt its growth.
- Potatoes. Asparagus, on the other hand, stunts the growth of potatoes when they share the same space.
Where do watermelons grow best?
Watermelons do best in loamy, somewhat-sandy, well-drained soil. They can struggle in soil that contains too much clay and doesn’t drain well. Watermelons prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5 (“slightly acidic to neutral”). Watermelons need A LOT of space—up to 20 square feet per plant.
What cross pollinates with watermelon?
Natural pollination of watermelons in the field is usually by honeybees that visit the flower to collect pollen and nectar. Bumblebees also are effective pollinators.
How much space do watermelon plants need?
Quick Guide to Growing Watermelon
Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70° F or above. Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
Can you grow watermelons in a raised bed?
You can grow a watermelon plant in a small 4′ x 4′ raised garden bed – if you use a trellis. A single watermelon plant, given good growing conditions, can almost fill a 15-foot-wide circle on the ground. Yikes! There’s no avoiding that they are large, vigorous plants.
How many watermelons do you get per plant?
2-4 fruits
How Many Watermelons per Plant? Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. The vines produce both male and female flowers. Both are needed to set fruit and there are fewer female flowers compared to male, about one female for every seven males.
Do watermelons need full sun?
Regardless of what variety you grow in your pots, be sure to site the containers in a location where they receive a minimum of 8 hours of full sun per day. Watermelons will not form flowers or fruits if they don’t get enough sun. ‘Sugar Pot’ and ‘Bush Sugar Baby’ are the best two choices for container growing.
How do you speed up the growth of a watermelon?
To maximize the size of the melon, water the plants regularly in deep water sessions that keep the soil moist. Side dress the Watermelon plants with fertilizer prepared for edible crops or fertilizer tea to feed the plants. Fertilizer encourages growth to produce large melons.
Can you plant cucumbers next to watermelon?
Worst Companion Plants
Because other members of the Cucurbitae family are all attacked by cucumber beetles, planting watermelons next to these crops is not recommended: Cucumbers. Summer squash/zucchini.
What’s a good companion plant for asparagus?
Other herbs that enjoy asparagus’ company include comfrey, coriander, and dill. They repel insect pests like aphids, spider mites, and other detrimental insects. Early crops such as beets, lettuce, and spinach can be planted between the asparagus rows in the spring.
What grows well next to asparagus?
Asparagus – Plant with asters, basil, cilantro, dill, cilantro, marigolds, nasturtiums, oregano, parsley, peppers, sage, and thyme. Asparagus repels nematodes that attack tomatoes, and tomatoes repel asparagus beetles.
What plants well with asparagus?
19 Companion Plants for Asparagus
- Herbs. Basil. Cilantro. Comfrey. Dill. Oregano. Parsley. Sage. Thyme.
- Fruits & Vegetables. Eggplant. Horseradish. Lettuce. Peppers. Rhubarb. Spinach. Strawberry. Tomato.
- Flowering Ornamentals. Asters. Marigold. Nasturtium.
How do I make my watermelon sweeter when growing?
According to Modern Farmer, you should add four to six inches of composted manure to the planting bed before you plant for maximum sweetness. They state that watermelon is at its sweetest point when the vine shrivels at the fruit or the fruit detaches on it’s own.
Do watermelons need a lot of water?
Typically, watermelon plants need 1-2 inches of water per week so that the soil stays moist but not wet. If you’re not getting enough rain each week, make sure you give your plants an extra drink.
How long does it take for a watermelon to grow to full size?
The time it takes for a watermelon to mature can be anywhere from 65 to 90 days after planting. Once the fruit sets to tiny marble-sized melons, it only takes up to 45 days for those tiny melons to develop into watermelons 10 pounds in size or more.
Do you need two watermelon plants to pollinate?
You need at least one male and one female flower for hand pollinating melon plants. Both male and female melon flowers are ready for the pollination process when they are open. If they are still shut, they are still immature and will not be able to either give or receive viable pollen.
Can you plant cantaloupe and watermelon close together?
No, you shouldn’t plant watermelon and cantaloupe vines close to one another because of the space requirements and shared pest and disease concerns, but you can plant them in a larger bed in different areas with good cultural practices.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.