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Growing Watermelon

(Cucurbitaceae c. lanatus)

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

(Best months for planting Watermelon in USA - Zone 5a regions)

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

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 70°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
Space plants: 24 - 30 inches 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

24 Feb 13, yildiz (Australia - arid climate): I get all my seeds from what i eat at the shop.eg.watermellon,rockmellon etc...
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31 Dec 12, sue (Australia - temperate climate): Can I grow Khale in January in melbourne
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19 Oct 12, James (Australia - temperate climate): Do I need more than one watermelon plant growing to pollinate between or would one plant bear fruit? Thanks for any help.
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15 Nov 12, Geoff (Australia - temperate climate): Hi James.. Watermelons are self pollinating, so only one plant is needed, unless you are growing seedless melons which require a pollinator.
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29 Sep 12, michael (Australia - tropical climate): why in my garden the watermelons are not growing ????please anwser back thank you
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08 Sep 12, Rod (Australia - temperate climate): what is compatibale to grow with watermelon?
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12 Sep 12, Michael (Australia - temperate climate): Hi Not 100% sure of watermelon but pumpkin, squash and cucumber like sweet corn. All the best.
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12 Jun 12, Elmer Patiag (Australia - tropical climate): Hi, Just want to ask where can I buy watermelon seed?
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14 Oct 12, Chantelle (Australia - temperate climate): Watermelon seeds can be bought at most nurseries,a hardware giant eg. Bunnings (where I got mine and are good with seeds) a good 2 dollar shop, a hardware store, or a discount superstore eg. Kmart, target. hope this helps
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06 Mar 12, Raelene (Australia - temperate climate): Hi my friend has a watermelon plant that has gone berserk vine-ing everywhere. Only thing there are lots of flowers and bees have been seen to hover over them but no fruit as yet. How can we tell which are male / female flowers? I can't find any "bulbing" as in female pumpkin flowers but when I touch the middle of the flowers no pollen comes away so I don't think that's the male...
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Post a question, comment or tip about Watermelon

Replying to:

''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.

- Fringe Dweller

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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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