![]() ![]() 6-8 weeks before the last frost in spring: start seed indoors for plants that will be transplanted into a plastic tunnel in 4 weeks.They require significant room to spread and grow. Interplanting: Plant watermelons with bush beans, corn, dill, eggplant, lettuce, cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes.Ĭontainer Growing Watermelon: Watermelons are not a good choice for container growing. Common diseases include bacterial wilt, fusarium wilt, downy mildew, powdery mildew, and cucumber mosaic.Common pest enemies include aphids, cucumber beetles, flea beetles, squash bugs, squash vine borers, slugs, and snails.Avoid planting watermelons where cucumbers or squash have grown recently.Grow watermelons in full sun for the best plant growth and yield.Watermelons prefer a soil pH range of 7.0 to 8.0.Add aged compost to planting beds in advance of transplanting.Fertilize with fish emulsion or a soluble complete fertilizer at half strength.Watermelons have a very high water content the soil must never go dry. Mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture. Small watermelons are easily grown on trellises. Watermelons can be grown in containers use a 10 to 15-gallon container and set a trellis in place to grow the vine up.Plant on mounds or hills 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm) high, space mounds 10 feet apart vines can easily spread 10 to 15 feet.Transplant seedlings to the garden bed after the soil has warmed to at least 70☏ (21☌).Watermelon seed germination occurs in 3 to 10 days at 80☏ (27☌) or warmer.Watermelon seeds will not germinate at a soil temperature below 65☏ (18☌).In warm-winter regions, sow watermelons in midwinter for harvest in early summer. ![]() Direct sow watermelons in the home garden in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to 70☏ (21☌).The indoor temperature should be between 80-90☏ (27-32☌) until germination. Sow seed indoors in peat pots filled with seed starting mix.Grow watermelons from seeds or seedlings.Store seed in a cool, dry, sealed container. Seeds should be thoroughly dry before storing. Seed processing: Scoop out seed rinse away pulp and dry for 1 week.Seed saving: Save seeds from fruit with the best flavors, preferred shapes, and colors.Decrease water a few days before harvest to increase the fruit sugar content. Use a sharp knife to cut ripe fruit away from the vine. You can also test watermelon ripeness by rapping the melon with your knuckles if if sounds hollow it’s ready. ![]() Harvest time: Harvest when the fruit rind that touches the ground turns yellow harvest when the tendril closest to the fruit turns dry and black.For large fruit cull the growing fruit so that only one or two remain on the vine. Be sure to consult the seed packet for days to maturity and mark your garden calendar. Days to maturity: 70-110 days from planting depending on the variety.Isolation distance: 800 feet to 1/2 mile isolate plants if you plant to save seeds.Cage plants or bag blossoms to prevent cross-pollination. Cross-pollination: Can cross-pollinate with other varieties.Watermelon flowers: Monoecious (male flowers and female flowers on the same plant) the first female flowers to appear are the ones most likely to set fruit.Amend the garden soil with aged compost or aged manure ahead of planting. Spacing in the garden: Plant in hills, one or two plants per hill, spaced 6-8 feet (2-2.5 m) apart.Protect young plants with floating row covers or cloches. Use black plastic sheeting or black plastic mulch to warm the soil early in the season and conserve moisture in hot weather. Direct sowing time: Plant seeds after the danger of frost is past and when temperatures average 70-85☏ (21-29☌).Avoid disturbing the roots when transplanting. Transplant time: Transplant outdoors two weeks after the last frost.Thin seedlings to the strongest plant after seedlings have formed their true leaves. Indoor seed starting time: Start indoors as early as 4 weeks before the last frost in spring not sooner than 3-4 weeks before transplanting outdoors.Pre-sprouting seeds: Lay the seeds on a damp paper towel, roll up the towel, and place it in a plastic bag seal the bag and keep it in a warm place until seeds germinate then place seedlings in individual pots.Bottom heat is not necessary but it will speed germination. Use a sterile seed starting mix or potting soil. Seed starting tips: Sow 2-3 seeds per individual peat pot or biodegradable pots indoors.Suggested varieties: Black Diamond (90 days), Charleston Gray (85 days), Crimson Sweet (80 days), Sugar Baby (75 days). ![]()
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