Watermelon Growing Guide

Nothing says summer quite like biting into a perfectly ripe, sweet watermelon you grew yourself. These heat-loving giants reward patient gardeners with incredible homegrown flavor.

Choosing Varieties

Classic Seeded Varieties

• Crimson Sweet: 25 lbs, classic striped, sweet, 85 days
• Charleston Gray: 25-35 lbs, oblong, disease-resistant, 85 days
• Black Diamond: 30-50 lbs, dark green rind, 90 days

Seedless Varieties

• Millionaire: 18-22 lbs, excellent flavor, 85 days
• Triple Crown: 18-20 lbs, high sugar content, 82 days

Icebox Varieties (Small Space)

• Sugar Baby: 8-10 lbs, perfect size, 75 days
• Tiger Baby: 6-8 lbs, striped, early, 75 days
• Yellow Doll: 5-8 lbs, yellow flesh, 68 days

Growing Requirements

Climate Needs

Watermelons need heat and a long growing season:

• 70-80 days of warm weather minimum
• Daytime temps 70-85°F
• Soil temperature at least 70°F for germination

Space Requirements

Standard watermelons need 20-30 square feet per plant. Compact varieties need 15-20 square feet.

Planting

Direct Sowing

Best method in warm climates:

• Plant in hills (mounds) 6-8 feet apart
• Sow 4-5 seeds per hill, 1 inch deep
• Thin to 2-3 strongest seedlings

Transplanting

• Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting
• Use peat pots—watermelons resent root disturbance
• Harden off before transplanting
• Wait until soil is thoroughly warm

Care for Sweet Melons

Watering

Consistent moisture is crucial during vine growth and fruit development. Provide 1-2 inches weekly. Reduce watering as fruit ripens—this concentrates sugars!

Fertilizing

Side-dress with balanced fertilizer when vines begin to run. Once fruit sets, switch to low-nitrogen fertilizer to encourage fruit development over vine growth.

Mulching

Black plastic mulch warms soil and suppresses weeds. Organic mulch (straw) keeps fruit clean and prevents soil-borne disease.

Pollination

Watermelons need bees for pollination. Each female flower needs multiple bee visits for proper fruit development. Hand pollinate if bees are scarce:

1. Find male flowers (thin stems, no bulge)
2. Remove petals
3. Dab pollen onto female flower centers (bulge at base)

When to Harvest

The tricky part! Here's how to tell watermelon is ripe:

• Thump test: Dull, hollow sound = ripe. Metallic ring = not ready.
• Ground spot: Yellow belly where it rested on ground
• Tendril: Nearest curly tendril is brown and dry
• Rind: Dull appearance, resists scratching with fingernail

Storage

Whole watermelons last 1-2 weeks at room temperature or 2-3 weeks refrigerated. Cut watermelon should be refrigerated and eaten within 3-5 days.