The vining plants are members of theCucurbitaceaeor gourd family, which also includes pumpkins, cucumbers, and squash.
And they are immensely rewarding.
These juicy fruits each weigh between 6 and 60 pounds, depending on the variety.
Credit:Getty Images/Jonathan R. Beckerman
It takes 65-100 days from planting until the fruit is ripe.
Plants grow as long vines, with curly tendrils and large, lobed leaves.
Bees are your friend in the melon patch.
Credit:Getty Images/Sinisa Kukic
Soil
Watermelon plants require warm soil to thrive.
Plants tolerate a variety of soils, as long as they are well drained.
Loamy and sandy loams are the ideal soil bang out.
Water
This plant is not called watermelon for nothing!
However, watermelon plants have shallow roots.
Plants do not tolerate frost.
Wait to plant until after all danger of frost has passed.
While watermelon plants are generally tolerant of humidity, diseases can thrive under wet and humid conditions.
Watering through drip irrigation or in the morning can help minimize this problem.
Repeat this utility after the plants bloom and fruit are beginning to develop.
Many watermelon varieties require up to 18 to 24 square feet per plant.
Thats a lot of garden real estate.
Seed formation is another consideration in selecting melons.
Many seedless varieties are available, though you wont be able to host the annual watermelon seed-spitting contest.
It is also a good idea to select disease-resistant varieties.
Finally, if you are interested in producing a fast crop, you might look for an early-producing variety.
Standard Varieties
These watermelon varieties produce large fruits on long vines.
Most varieties produce melons weighing 6 to 15 pounds.
These small fruits are juicy and incredibly sweet and do not sacrifice flavor.
Though they didnt gain popularity until the 1990s, icebox melons include many heirloom varieties.
These smaller plants typically produce fewer fruits, around two to three per plant depending on the variety.
Hilling hastens germination and promotes faster growth, as well as improving soil drainage.
Refer to your seed packet for plant/hill spacing, as different varieties require more space to grow than others.
Handle seedlings carefully as watermelons have sensitive roots.
Water plants thoroughly and irrigate regularly to a depth of six inches, ideally through a drip system.
Watermelons can also be grown in containers from either seed or transplant.
Compact, bush-throw in varieties are best for container production.
Choose a large container, one that holds at least eight to 10 gallons of soil per plant.
see to it the container hasgood drainage holesand be prepared to water and feed plants regularly.
Getty Images/Sinisa Kukic
Potting and Repotting
Growing watermelons isnt limited to large outdoor spaces.
Grow small, compact watermelon varieties in a container.
Fill the pot with lightweight potting soil.
Use a trellis or teepee to train the vines up for support as they grow.
Water daily in warm weather and twice daily during hotter weather.
Repotting will not be necessary as watermelon only lasts one season.
How Long Watermelon Takes To Grow
Watermelons are not a quick crop.
Smaller melon varieties often mature more quickly, but this is not always true.
When selecting varieties, look for information on seed packets and in catalogs regarding maturation time.
you might use approximate maturity times to help plan for an extended harvest.
With this strategy, you’re able to have melons ripening from mid to late summer.
Harvesting Watermelon
Determining when to harvest a watermelon can be a bit tricky.
When the melon is ready to harvest, the tendril will turn dry and brown.
Other cues to look for include a dusty coating that gives the skin a dull appearance.
These indicators are not much to go on, but they are a start.
The only true way to know if your melon is ripe is to cut it open.
Experience will help you determine the best time to harvest different varieties.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
As with any crop, growing watermelons is not without its challenges.
Poor pollination can cause misshapen fruits.
Another reason for poor fruit set might be excess fertilization or insufficient plant spacing.
Purchase seeds from a reputable company and look for disease-resistant varieties when practical.
Most disease organisms can be managed by rotating crops in the garden.
Overhead watering can also encourage disease development.
Use drip irrigation whenever possible or water plants early in the day to allow the sun to dry foliage.
Minimize problems with blossom end rot by keeping the soil uniformly moist, but not saturated.
Do not allow the soil to completely dry between watering.
Insect problems include striped and spotted cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and aphids.
Managing insect problems is most critical during the seedling and early growth stages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Though they grow on vines, watermelons are not natural climbers.
This probably means the flowers have not been pollinated.
To encourage pollination, add companion plants to the garden to attract pollinators to your watermelon plants.
Other members of theCucurbitaceaefamily such as squash, cucumbers, and pumpkins should not be neighbors to watermelon.
These plants attract cucumber beetles, which can damage watermelon leaves, vines, roots, and fruit.
Mayo Clinic Health System.The wonders of watermelon.
