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 7a 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 21°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 60 - 75 cm apart
  • Harvest in 12-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, Sunflowers
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

17 Jun 22, (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Probably too late now but use Epsom Salts - scatter some of this in your soil in future especially where you plant the seeds.
13 Jun 22, Sarah (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Maybe adding eggshells to the soil will help
26 Apr 22, Noelle (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Spacing for vertical watermelon growing? I have a 2x4 bed and planted watermelon on opposite ends on one side (Sugar Baby variety) and one on the center on the opposite side (Crimson) with the goal of having them grow vertically. I only expected three plants total but planted more seeds since these were older seeds. I now have eight watermelon plants that are growing beautifully. I don't want to thin, but I'm sure it's necessary. Any advice on spacing for vertical growth? I've read all sorts of different suggestions online.
28 Mar 23, Martin (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Hey how did those watermelons turn out. I'm thinking about growing rhem vertically
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?
03 Apr 23, Karen Hutchison (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I have had good luck with Klondike
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?
07 Sep 21, (USA - Zone 4a climate)
A general garden fertiliser will do.
21 Aug 21, Sandra Carlton (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I have watermelon plants all over the garden lots of blooms but no fruit yet, they were planted mid July. In zone 8
23 Aug 21, Rosemary McElroy (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I wouldn’t worry unless the blooms drop. Did you plant them as plants or seeds?
Showing 11 - 20 of 42 comments

Spacing for vertical watermelon growing? I have a 2x4 bed and planted watermelon on opposite ends on one side (Sugar Baby variety) and one on the center on the opposite side (Crimson) with the goal of having them grow vertically. I only expected three plants total but planted more seeds since these were older seeds. I now have eight watermelon plants that are growing beautifully. I don't want to thin, but I'm sure it's necessary. Any advice on spacing for vertical growth? I've read all sorts of different suggestions online.

- Noelle

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