When to water watermelons?
When to Water Watermelons Watermelons need water throughout the season, but a particularly important time to water watermelons is while they are setting and growing fruit. The reason for this is that watermelon fruit is made up of 92 percent water. This means that the plant must take up an enormous amount of water while the fruit is developing.
Do watermelon plants need a lot of water?
Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) are a hallmark of American summers and a relatively easy plant to grow in the home vegetable garden. As their name suggests, they need lots of water: it is important to the development of watermelon fruit, which are 90 percent water.
How much space do you need to grow watermelon?
Mounds can range in height from a few inches to more than 12 inches (30cm) tall; mounds will allow vines to run away down the slope. You can train vines to circle the mound. If you are growing watermelon in rows space plants 4 to 5 feet apart (1.2-1.5m) and space rows 6 feet (1.8m) apart. Grow 2 watermelon plants for each household member.
How do you take care of a melon plant?
Watering is very important—from planting until fruit begins to form. While melon plants are growing, blooming, and setting fruit, they need 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Keep soil moist, but not waterlogged. Water at the vine's base in the morning, and try to avoid wetting the leaves and avoid overhead watering.
Do you water watermelon everyday?
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.
Can you over water watermelon plants?
Watermelons will grow best in soil that is moist but not overly wet. In any case, overwatering can result in crown and root rot, which can affect the fruit production. When watering watermelons, it's essential to water at the base of the vine.
How often should I water my watermelons?
Watermelons do not need a particularly large amount of water at planting times, though they benefit from a thorough drenching of 1 to 2 inches of water every week. Make sure the soil is wet to a depth of 6 inches every time you water.
Do watermelon plants need direct sunlight?
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. Excessively shady conditions will reduce the number and size of the fruits.Mar 30, 2021
What does an overwatered watermelon look like?
The hearts of watermelons that swell in this manner are often white and have little flavor because the melon's flesh is over-saturated with water. If the rain continues, the melons will continue swelling until they are harvested and the white heart will grow larger.
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.
Does watermelon need lots of water?
Watermelons need approximately an inch or two of water a week. You want to thoroughly soak the root zone, which is usually about 12 inches deep. Be careful not to overwater your watermelons, however, which causes necessary nutrients to leach out of the soil.Jul 12, 2021
When should you stop watering watermelon?
Stop watering the plants altogether about 10 days before you harvest the melons. This will allow the sugars in the fruit to concentrate and the flesh to stay crisp. This makes for much better tasting watermelon.
Are watermelon easy to grow?
While watermelons can be great as treats, they can be a little hard to work with as crops. However, with a little know-how and preparation, you can easily have them growing in your garden.Nov 5, 2020
How long does it take to grow a watermelon?
80-90 daysWatermelons require 80-90 days from seed sowing to grow a full-size watermelon. Some smaller-sized watermelons (like Sugar Baby) can reach maturity in closer to 70 days.
Where should I plant my watermelon plant?
Their vines need room to sprawl, so plant them in a place where they won't crowd out other crops. Growing the vines in raised rows, known as hills, ensures good drainage and will hold the sun's heat longer. Plan to space the plants 2-3 feet apart in a 5-foot-wide hill.
Where do watermelons grow best?
They grow best when daytime temperatures fall between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime temperatures fall between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They can thrive in both humid and semi-arid environments, but may develop fungal foliage diseases in humid areas more frequently than in dry areas.
How much water should I give my watermelon?
Watermelons need approximately an inch or two of water a week. You want to thoroughly soak the root zone, which is usually about 12 inches deep.
How hot does watermelon need to be to grow?
Watermelons are warm-season fruits that grow best when temperatures are between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Watermelons also need warm soil. While you can sow watermelon seeds directly into the soil, if you live in a cooler climate, you will likely need to start your watermelon plants indoors and transplant them outside once soil temperatures ...
How long does it take for a watermelon to ripen?
Main-season watermelons are much bigger, often weighing over 20 pounds, and they can take as many as 90 days to ripen. Seedless watermelons are genetically engineered hybrids that take just as long as main-season watermelons to ripen.
How do I grow watermelon seeds?
Watermelon seeds require water to start its metabolic process and begin growth. Sow seeds by using only enough water to dampen the soil. Allow the soil to dry between waterings during the germination process. Do not water the seeding the day before transplanting it.
What are some good plants to plant with watermelon?
Watermelon companion plants include radishes and tansy, which may help to prevent pesky cucumber beetles from feeding on your watermelons. Also consider cowpeas and buckwheat, which attract beneficial insects that keep watermelon pests at bay.
Do you need to water watermelon plants?
Advertisement. Because wet leaves can become a breeding ground for a host of diseases, you should be sure to only water the root zone of your watermelon plants. In fact, drip irrigation is highly recommended when growing watermelons.
Do watermelons need fertilizer?
However, they tend to be sweeter since the plants don't expend precious energy to make seeds. Seedless watermelons nonetheless require fertilization, but they cannot rely on their own pollen, so they must be planted with seed-producing types of melons in order to yield fruit.
How to grow watermelon in a garden?
Watermelons grow best in loose, well-drained, but moisture-retentive soil rich in organic matter. Add aged compost and aged manure or a commercial organic planting mix to the planting bed before planting. Turn the soil to 12 inches (30cm) deep. Melons prefer a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
How long does it take for watermelons to grow?
How to Grow Watermelons. Watermelons require 65 to 90 frost-free days to reach harvest. The watermelon is a tender, warm-weather annual. Watermelons along with muskmelons and cantaloupes are sometimes called summer melons. Grow watermelons in the warmest, frost-free time of the year.
What happens when watermelon is ripe?
If the tendrils are green the melon is not ripe. A ripe watermelon will make a dull hollow sound when thumped. The soil-side of a watermelon will turn from white to pale yellow when the fruit is ready for harvest.
What diseases can watermelon get?
Watermelon Diseases. Watermelons are susceptible to anthracnose, Alternaria leaf spot, bacterial wilt, and powdery and downy mildew. Planting disease-resistant varieties when they are available and maintaining the general cleanliness and health of your garden will help cut down the incidence of disease.
How much does a watermelon weigh?
Watermelons can be oval, oblong, and round. Fruits can weigh from 10 or 15 pounds to more than 100 pounds. Fruits are commonly 30 pounds or more. The watermelon has a thick, solid rind with sweet, succulent flesh that can be pink, red, yellow, orange, or grayish-white. Male and female flowers appear on the same vine.
How long to wait to harvest watermelon?
Limit water for a week in advance of the harvest to concentrate sweetness. Watermelons on a single plant will all be ready for harvest over a two week period. Use a sharp knife or garden pruner to cut the watermelon away from the vine.
How to hand pollinate watermelon?
You can hand pollinate watermelon flowers using an artist’s bristle brush. Rub the brush in the male flower to collect pollen then rub the brush in the center of the female flower to transfer the pollen. You can attract bees to your garden by planting flowering herbs such as dill, borage, and lavender nearby.
How to keep watermelon plants moist?
Mulching around the watermelon plants will improve moisture retention, retard weed growth, and slowly add nitrogen rich organic matter to the soil as it breaks down. Use straw, shredded newspaper, or grass clippings in a 3 to 4 inch (8-10 cm.) layer around the melon plants.
Can you grow your own watermelon?
Growing your own watermelon may take a bit of work but is definitely rewarding. In order to get the sweetest, juiciest melon, what kind of fertilizer do you need to use on watermelon plants?
Can you fertilize watermelons with granular food?
When fertilizing watermelons with granular food, do not let the fertilizer come into contact with the leaves. The leaves are sensitive and you could damage them. Water the fertilizer in well so the roots can easily absorb the nutrients.
Is there a fertilizer schedule for watermelon?
There is no set watermelon fertilizer schedule. Fertilizing is determined by the current soil condition and, thereafter, by the stage at which the watermelon plant is growing. For example, is it an emergent seedling or is it in bloom? Both stages have different nutritional needs.
