Watermelons are generally planted from seeds sown directly into the garden as soon as the soil warms to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Grow Watermelon.
| Botanical Name | Citrillus lunatus |
|---|---|
| Sun Exposure | Full sun |
| Size | 9 to 18 inches tall; 10- to 15-foot vine spread |
| Soil Needs | Loamy, sandy, well-drained |
Do watermelon seeds need sunlight to germinate?
Watermelon seeds germinate well and plants thrive at 25 to 30°C. Fruits mature best at about 30°C. It requires dry weather and plenty of sunshine. Continuous rain or cloudy will not only stunt the plant growth but reduce the flowering and fruit set.
How much sunlight does a watermelon seed need?
6 to 8 hours a day
Watermelon Facts: growing tips
Give watermelons lots of sunlight – 6 to 8 hours a day(or more) is ideal. Aluminum foil placed under the plants will help them ripen faster by attracting more sunlight. Healthy watermelon plants will form 2-4 melons per plant.
What does a watermelon seed need to grow?
You’ll need at least three months of hot, sunny weather to grow watermelons from seed to fruit. The average daily temperature during those three months should be at least 70 to 80 degrees, though warmer is better.
Should I start watermelon seeds indoors?
Start your watermelon seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost. This gives your melon plants some time to grow before transplanting them outdoors in the garden.
How do you germinate watermelon seeds quickly?
Boost Temperatures. The warmer the soil, the faster watermelon seeds germinate. For example, it takes approximately three days for a watermelon seed to germinate in 90 degree Fahrenheit conditions, and approximately 10 days when temperatures are at 70 degrees.
How long does it take watermelon to grow from seed?
between 70 and 100 days
About Watermelons
However, gardeners in colder climates can still have success in growing watermelons by starting seeds indoors or purchasing young plants from a nursery, and by growing shorter-season varieties. Depending on the variety of watermelon, it can take between 70 and 100 days to go from planting to harvest.
Will watermelons grow in the shade?
Watermelons require full sunlight in order to thrive. The plants can tolerate some partial shade, particularly in hotter climates, but plenty of sun is necessary to develop the sugars in the melons.
Can you grow watermelon indoors?
Start seeds indoors.
Watermelon seeds can be started indoors, about six weeks prior to growing season. Plant seeds in peat pots and place near a sunny windowsill. Keep soil moist, but refrain from overwatering at this stage—peat pots are very absorbent and will keep the soil humid for the newly germinating seeds.
What month do you plant 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.
How often do you water watermelon seeds?
Seeded watermelons do not need a particularly large amount of water immediately after planting, but they do need a thorough drenching of 1 to 2 inches of water every week until the fruit is about the size of a tennis ball. Once the watermelons reach that size, water when the soil is dry and the leaves start to wilt.
Where do watermelons grow best?
Florida has historically been the top producer of watermelons and accounted for 19 percent of the 3.9 billion pounds of U.S. watermelon production in 2012. Florida and three other States—Georgia, California, and Texas—accounted for two-thirds of U.S. output in 2012.
Can watermelon be grown in pots?
Yes, you can grow watermelon in pots. But there are some important guidelines you’ll want to follow to set yourself up for success. Watermelons are fun to grow in pots, but they must be cared for properly.
How do watermelons grow for beginners?
Instructions
- Make sure the soil is warm. Wait until the soil is consistently 70°F or warmer before planting out your watermelon.
- Remember that watermelon are heavy feeders. Watermelon plants need lots of nutrients.
- Water thoroughly.
- Water wisely.
- Give your plants space.
- Don’t harvest too early.
- Rotate your crops.
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.
How deep should watermelon seeds be planted?
½-inch deep
Plant watermelon into 12-inch-tall hills of soil that are spaced at least 6 feet apart. Sow 6–8 seeds per hill, later thinning to 3–4 plants per hill. Sow watermelon seeds ½-inch deep. Water seeds into the hills after planting.
Do seeds germinate better in the dark?
Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.). However, some species (e.g., Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007). Don’t confuse seed light requirements with what seedlings need. All seedlings require sunlight.
Why do you soak watermelon seeds in milk?
If you soak the watermelon seeds in milk before planting them, the seeds soften and germinate more quickly than they would if planted directly in the soil. Although you can soak the watermelon seeds in water, the milk adds extra nutrients upon which the sprouting seedlings feed.
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 deep do watermelon roots go?
Watermelon roots commonly grow 8 to 10 or more inches deep; the hole and mound become a reservoir of moisture and nutrients.
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