Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site
- Amend soil with aged manure, seaweed, and/or compost before planting.
- Watermelons do best in loamy, somewhat-sandy, well-drained soil.
- 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 kind of soil is best for watermelon?
sandy loam soils
Melons grow best on well-drained, sandy loam soils, with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Soils with a pH less than 6.0 will produce plants with yellow foliage that set few or no fruit. You can improve your soil by adding well-rotted manure or compost in spring or fall.
What do you put under watermelon?
In order to grow great watermelons, you’ll need to put a barrier between the watermelons and the ground. This is to reduce the risk of rot and disease. Good ground barriers are straw, or even cardboard.
What is the best compost for watermelons?
If you cannot lay the compost out to remove the harmful soluble salts, yard waste compost can help watermelons as well. This compost type, complete with grass cuttings and leaves, does not have the salt issue of food scraps. However, it does lack the high level of nutrients in compost from food scraps.
Can I use potting soil for watermelons?
Watermelons are heavy feeders that don’t like to dry out. Choose a high-quality potting mix and blend it with compost. I mix organic potting soil half-and-half with finished compost.
What is the best month to plant watermelon?
The best time to plant watermelon seeds is from late spring to early summer, or when the soil temperature reaches 70 degrees or above. Watermelon seeds germinate easily and quickly, and seedlings don’t usually transplant well, so there’s no need to start them in a pot or seed tray.
When should I fertilize my watermelon?
When should I fertilize watermelon? Start fertilizing right after transplanting. Melons do best when treated with small amounts of fertilizer in two or three applications. During the growing season, liquid (soluble) fertilizers may be applied every 2 weeks and granular fertilizers about every 6 to 8 weeks.
What can you not plant near 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.
How do I make my watermelon sweeter when growing?
Sweetness Starts in the Soil
To encourage strong growth, blend 4 to 6 inches of composted manure into your melon beds prior to planting. Then add a balanced organic fertilizer (such as a mixed blood meal/bone meal product) every 3 to 4 weeks.
Is Epsom salt good for watermelon plants?
For sweeter watermelons and cantaloupes when the plant starts vining and again when small 1-inch melons appear, spray with 6 1/2 tablespoons Epsom salts and 3 1/2 tablespoons borax in 5 gallons of water. For more fruit on your pepper plants, fertilize the plant by burying an open one-half pack of book matches near it.
What is the best organic fertilizer for watermelons?
Best Fertilizer for Watermelons
- Tomato and Vegetable Plant Food by Old Farmer’s Almanac – Best Overall Watermelon Fertilizer.
- All-Purpose Water Soluble Plant Food by Jack’s Classic – Best Balanced Watermelon Fertilizer.
- All-Purpose Fertilizer by FoxFarm – Best Organic Watermelon Fertilizer.
What fertilizer make fruit bigger?
Potassium is the key driver of fruit size and alongside nitrogen is required in large quantities throughout fruit development and growth. However, too much nitrogen at a late growth stage can restrict fruit size; therefore a balanced nutrient application is crucial. Phosphorus can restrict fruit growth too.
How do you grow a big watermelon?
To maximize the size of the melons, water the plants at the base in regular, deep-watering sessions that keep the soil moist. Side dress the watermelon plants with fertilizer designed for edible crops or compost tea to feed the plants. The fertilizer encourages growth to get larger melons.
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 do watermelons grow for beginners?
They require warm soil for germination and growth. Ideally, watermelons should be planted in 70 degrees F. This crop is needs consistent watering until germination. For those wanting to plant a little earlier than the spring season, protect watermelons by covering the planting area with black plastic.
How often do you have to water watermelon?
Watering Watermelons
They require plentiful regular, even watering for quick growing. Give watermelons 1 to 2 inches (2.5. -5cm) of water every week (1 inch equals 16 gallons/60.5 liters.) Keep the soil moist until the fruit reaches full size then stop watering while the fruit ripens.
How long does it take for a watermelon to grow to full size?
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.
What is the lifespan of a watermelon plant?
3-4 months
How many watermelons per plant? About 2 to 3 melons can be obtained per plant in its single lifespan of 3-4 months. Usually, gardeners purposely keep only one watermelon per plant to harvest big sized fruits.
Do watermelons like full sun?
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.
Should I water my watermelon plants everyday?
Watering 1–2 times each week works best for healthy watermelon plants. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist at all times—not too dry and not too wet. Give your young watermelon vines 2 inches (5 cm) of water every week. Decrease water to 1 inch (2.5 cm) weekly once fruit sets on the vines.
Is Miracle Grow good for watermelons?
Grow melons faster by starting with young plants from Bonnie Plants®. Plant melons when ground temperatures are above 70 degrees F. Before planting, add nutrients to native soil by mixing in a 3-inch layer of Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose In-Ground Soil.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.