Growing Watermelon

Cucurbitaceae c. lanatus : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      S S              
        T T            
        P P            

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

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 12-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, Sunflowers
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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09 Mar 22, Trish Deeter (USA - Zone 10b climate)
What are the best seeds to purchase for Zone 10b, Costa Mesa, Southern part of California near the ocean?
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03 Apr 23, Karen Hutchison (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I have had good luck with Klondike
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07 Feb 22, Laura g Gatt (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi hope you can help me, I live in Sydney. I have huge Vine of watermelon lots of flowers but no fruit very few bees thanks regards Laura
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08 Feb 22, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)
Watermelons, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini's all have both male and female flowers on the same vine. For some unexplained reason some plants produce lots of male flowers and few female flowers. The male flowers have a longer spindly stem and the female flowers have an unformed fruit at the base of the flower. If you have female flowers and fruit are not forming it would indicate a lack of pollination by bees or other insects. If you pick some male flowers and remove the petals you can hand pollinate the flowers by putting the male flower, minus the petals, into the female flower to transfer pollen and fertilise the flower. You could use a couple of male flowers with each female flower to ensure that the pollen is ripe. leave a few male flowers on the plant for subsequent flowering. If there are few or no female flowers you can only wait and hope that some appear. Trust this helps.
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07 Feb 22, Anonymous of Bundaberg (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read up about hand pollinating. Have to do in the morning before lunch.
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06 Jan 22, Jen (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can I grow watermelons in Christchurch or is it too cold
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11 Jan 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes look in the planting calendar guide. It is generally a Spring planting crop.
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04 Sep 21, Harrison Brown (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I would like to know what type of fertilizers I can use to fertilizer my pigeon peas, corn, and watermelon plants?
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07 Sep 21, (USA - Zone 4a climate)
A general garden fertiliser will do.
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21 Aug 21, ravindra govind (New Zealand - temperate climate)
hi is it possible to grow melons in wellington
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Showing 41 - 50 of 339 comments
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I stay near Orlando. I planted some watermelon seeds in a pot inside my house few days ago. Now 2 of them are growing in the pot. Then I don't know should I take the pot out and put it in the yard or keep it at home to grow. Also the pot is small, should I take the baby plants out and plant them in the yard? Thanks for your help.

- Mariam

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