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Growing Watermelon

(Cucurbitaceae c. lanatus)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
							S		T	T	T

(Best months for planting Watermelon in Australia - temperate regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings.

August: Frost tender

Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 21°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 60 - 75 cm apart
Harvest in 9-14 weeks.
Compatible with: Sweetcorn, Sunflowers
Avoid growing with: Potatoes

Melon flower
Watermelon

Large, round or oval, smooth green skinned, delicious, sweet pink fleshed melon.

Some have stripes on the skin.

Some varieties will produce fruit up to 14 Kg (31 US pounds).

Harvest when the part in contact with the ground is turning yellow and the fruit sounds hollow when tapped.

Watermelon needs plenty of room to grow as it sends out long vines

Needs a long warm season to mature.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Watermelon

Cut up and eat in slices.
Use to make fruit drinks.
Use in fruit salads.

Your comments and tips

11 Jan 12, Scott (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi, I live on a farm near Port Macquarie NSW North Coast and thinking of planting some Garlic beds.I have just started and really enjoying some success.When do you recommend I start planting Garlic
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21 Jan 12, Bec (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Plant on the shortest day of the year (june) harvest on the longest day (dec). Works every year.
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08 Jan 12, julie (Australia - arid climate): can anybody please explain why would watermelon plants would be pale in appearance. They have been watered frequently and fed every 4-6 weeks. Regards Julie
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10 Nov 11, Nick. L-S (Australia - temperate climate): Hi folks, I'm looking for a good variety suited to manly nsw climate. That is to say, coastal, temperate/sub tropical.
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15 Aug 11, Linda Black (Australia - sub-tropical climate): What variety of watermelon will grow best in Ballina NSW. Do you know any suppliers of these seeds around this area? Thanks Linda
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02 Sep 11, Oli (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I have grown the variety Sugar baby succesfuly around Byron Bay. The melons are the best I have ever had, juicy and extremely sweet and they seem to suit warm climates. You can buy the seeds from places like Bunnings or Mitre 10, or if you want organic seeds then there is great supplier called Greenpatch Seeds based in Taree that will post you seeds for $2. Good Luck!
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08 Jul 11, Fringe Dweller (Australia - arid climate): ''ýou'll never never know if u don't give it a go" From my expeirence of using wicking beds, as long as u have set up your bed correctly, watermelons should grow successfully,provided they get adequate summer heat. I experienced 46C on the day of the Victorian Black Saturday bushfires, the only vegetable bed that didn't die on that day was the one set up as a wicking bed. I rest my case.
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05 Jul 11, Frogdancer (Australia - temperate climate): Just wondering if planting watermelon in a wicking bed would solve the problem of how much water and when to give it. I'm in the throes of setting up wicking beds and it occurred to me that maybe watermelon would be a crop that would do well. Any thoughts?
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01 Aug 11, Phillip (Australia - temperate climate): @Frogdancer. Every thing grows better in a wicking bed. Perfect watering system.
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21 May 11, wayne (Australia - tropical climate): growing melons is one of the most rewarding task you can do in your garden,but be warned...they will not tolerate, frost.at all.
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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - arid, Australia - cool/mountain, Australia - sub-tropical, Australia - temperate, Australia - tropical, New Zealand - cool/mountain, New Zealand - sub-tropical, New Zealand - temperate, South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical, South Africa - Humid sub-tropical, South Africa - Semi-arid, South Africa - Summer rainfall, United Kingdom - cool/temperate, United Kingdom - warm/temperate, USA - Central West Coast, USA - Maritime Northwest, USA - Mid-Atlantic, USA - North East, USA - South East and Gulf States, USA - South West, USA - Upper Midwest

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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