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
  • Mature watermelon
  • 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

19 Sep 23, Amanda (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I thought my watermelons had died off but in the beginning of this month (September) they decided to start growing again any chance they will actually survive or am I wasting my time?
20 Sep 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 8b climate)
It does say plant Feb March.
04 May 23, juan perez (USA - Zone 10a climate)
melons do they grow on the ground or trails
08 May 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 3b climate)
Ground.
30 Apr 23, Sam (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I’m in zone 10a Rialto ca and I’m wondering if it’s too late to start my watermelon seedling this is my first time ever planting something and I have many many many seeds of multiple vegetables and I have no idea when to start my seeds
08 May 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Each vegetable here has a planting guide for each climate zone. Find your zone in the top bar and check the planting calendar for watermelon.
08 Aug 22, Catherine E Villarreal (USA - Zone 10b climate)
When can I plant seedless watermelon seeds in zone 10b
04 Sep 22, (USA - Zone 10b climate)
March or Aug Sept
02 Aug 22, rhonda (USA - Zone 9a climate)
It is now the beginning of August 2022 and I was wondering if it is possible to grow watermelons from seed in grow zone 9a (Houston Texas) if I grow them in a giant pot and keep it in a shady area of my yard out of the extreme heat we are experiencxing now in Texas? I planted some seeds (direct seeded into the top of a compost pile I have in direct sunlight) they did germinate into very small seedling plants, but because the weather was hitting over 100 degrees they immediately died back. So I am attempting to grow some in a large pot and keeping them out of direct sunlight and seeing if they will continue growing, if so I will try to grow them vertically on a trellis. Has anyone else ever attempted such a experiment? If so, were they successful in getting a watermelon to grow out of season?
08 Jun 22, Marlow (USA - Zone 9a climate)
I seem to have bottom rot on my watermelons. Two out of 3 are effected. I've read that it's because the soil is lacking calcium. I'll be getting a soil tester tomorrow to check the pH. What would be the best thing to add calcium to the soil? I just don't know if that would work or if I should start new seeds and plant in an area that already has the pH suitable for watermelons...
Showing 1 - 10 of 42 comments

I’m in zone 10a Rialto ca and I’m wondering if it’s too late to start my watermelon seedling this is my first time ever planting something and I have many many many seeds of multiple vegetables and I have no idea when to start my seeds

- Sam

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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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