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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23 Sep 19, jamie clodial (Australia - tropical climate)
what are the harvesting conditions to grow watermelon
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30 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Are you growing them or harvesting them?
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07 Sep 19, Midda (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Afternoon, please i need advice about the watermelon, how to produce the sweetest watermelon. At what time of the year. Thank you
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13 Nov 19, anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Read the information here about growing them. Asking how to produce the sweetest WM is an impossible question. It is like asking which is the sweetest in a bin of 50 of them.
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10 Jul 19, Khathutshelo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
How many watermelons can I keep per plant and still retain good size and quality?
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24 Jun 19, Mike (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Is 8th July fine for planting in Bochum?
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04 May 19, Patrck (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am in Limpopp can I plant watermelom in May lts hot during the day and cold during the night
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28 Jun 19, sello (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
no , try it in mid august , im from gauteng , we have almost the same weather pattern.
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30 Apr 19, bella (Australia - temperate climate)
it doesn't have any sowing depth or distance or the proper months to plant
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30 Apr 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Look up individual plants e.g. /www.gardenate.com/plant/Watermelon?zone=2 for information on planting etc.
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Showing 131 - 140 of 355 comments
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I am growing a variety of watermelon called "red rocket". These are supposed to be, according to the tag, large oblong-shaped with a high yield, however, the only 2 fruit I have growing are just the size of small rockmelons and appear to have stopped growing. The oldest of these 2 is about 5 weeks now. Are my expectations of what is called large fruit and high yield too high, or do I need to do something to help them along. I have recently used Dynamic Lifter For Fruit and Citrus in the patch but am unsure if this will help. The other problem is that, although the plant is very vigorous and has plenty of flowers, it doesn't seem to fruit, even though I've used the brush trick to help pollinate. The only thing I can think of is that it doesn't get a lot of sun, but if this was the problem would that not also affect the quantity of flowers and health of the vine?

- Jo

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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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