Table of Contents
Watermelons need a location that receives 8 to 10 hours of sunlight per day. Work plenty of compost or organic slow-release fertilizer into the top few inches of soil. Mound the soil into small hills spaced 8′ to 10′ apart, less for compact varieties.
Will watermelons grow in the shade?
Watermelons require full sunlight in order to thrive. The plants can tolerate some partial shade, particularly in hotter climates, but plenty of sun is necessary to develop the sugars in the melons. Excessively shady conditions will reduce the number and size of the fruits.
How often do you need to water watermelon?
How to Grow Watermelons Watering is very important—from planting until fruit begins to form. While melon plants are growing, blooming, and setting fruit, they need 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Keep soil moist, but not waterlogged.
Do watermelons need to be watered everyday?
They require plentiful regular, even watering for quick growing. Give watermelons 1 to 2 inches (2.5. -5cm) of water every week (1 inch equals 16 gallons/60.5 liters.) Keep the soil moist until the fruit reaches full size then stop watering while the fruit ripens.
Where do watermelons grow best?
They grow best when daytime temperatures fall between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime temperatures fall between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They can thrive in both humid and semi-arid environments, but may develop fungal foliage diseases in humid areas more frequently than in dry areas.
What vegetables can grow in full shade?
Shade-Tolerant Vegetables and Herbs arugula, endive, lettuce, sorrel, spinach. collards, kale, mustard greens, swiss chard. beets, carrots, potatoes, radishes, rutabaga, turnips. Broccoli and cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage. mint, chervil, chives, coriander/cilantro, oregano, parsley.
Do watermelons need a trellis?
As the vines, which should be about two feet apart, begin to run, send them up a sturdy trellis. You will need to tie the runners to the trellis, since watermelons are not natural climbers. Watermelons don’t climb by habit, but once shown the way they can rise with the best. Watermelons rest easy in hammocks.
What is the best month to plant watermelon?
Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70° F or above. Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
What can you not plant near watermelon?
‘Sugar Baby’ Watermelon Avoid planting them near other crops that will shade them. Include flowers like dill, chamomile, cosmos and pineapple sage to attract predatory insects that eat melon pests, including beetles, caterpillars and aphids.
What do Overwatered watermelons look like?
The hearts of watermelons that swell in this manner are often white and have little flavor because the melon’s flesh is over-saturated with water. If the rain continues, the melons will continue swelling until they are harvested and the white heart will grow larger.
How many watermelons do you get per plant?
How Many Watermelons per Plant? Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. The vines produce both male and female flowers. Both are needed to set fruit and there are fewer female flowers compared to male, about one female for every seven males.
Can I grow watermelon in raised bed?
You can grow a watermelon plant in a small 4′ x 4′ raised garden bed – if you use a trellis. There’s no avoiding that they are large, vigorous plants. But if you select the right variety, take good care of them, and train them up a trellis, you can enjoy fresh melons from your own small garden beds.
How do I make my watermelon sweeter when growing?
Heat brings out melons’ sweetness, so make sure to plant them in a location that warms up early in spring and stays hot through the end of September. The south side of a fence or wall is ideal as the structure will absorb heat and light from the sun and reflect it back onto the melons.
How long does it take to grow watermelon?
The time it takes for a watermelon to mature can be anywhere from 65 to 90 days after planting. Once the fruit sets to tiny marble-sized melons, it only takes up to 45 days for those tiny melons to develop into watermelons 10 pounds in size or more.
Can watermelons grow anywhere?
Unattended watermelon vines will grow anywhere and everywhere. Space the vines apart to prevent the plants from growing onto each other. If you are growing your watermelon up a trellis, create small hammocks from scraps of cloth to prevent the heavy fruits from falling off the vines.
What vegetables dont need full sun?
Vegetables That Don’t Need Full Sunlight Leafy Greens. Leafy greens include lettuce, cabbage, spinach and mustard greens. Artichoke. Artichoke not only tolerates partial shade, it also prefers it during hot and dry summers. Herbs. Beans and Peas. Turnips and Potatoes. Considerations.
What grows well with no sunlight?
Best Plants That Don’t Need Sun Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) Dracaena (Dracaena) Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia) English Ivy (Hedera helix) Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum) Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum).
What vegetables can be grown without direct sunlight?
Among vegetables, leafy greens are the most tolerant of shade, including kale, lettuce, spinach, arugula and chard. Related to both beets and spinach, Swiss chard tastes a little like both and is fairly easy to grow.
Do watermelons come back every year?
As annual plants, watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) must be replanted every season and will not survive the winter either as seedlings or fully grown plants. Watermelons require warm weather to grow quickly and produce their sweet, juicy fruit.
How do you keep watermelons off the ground?
Other preventative measures you can take include keeping the watermelon off the ground as they grow and develop. Use a cage, plastic mulch, stakes, straw mulch or other materials to protect the fruit from the ground. You can even use a wooden board for the fruit to rest on as it matures.
Can watermelon grow on concrete?
Place your container wherever your watermelons will grow best. A spot that gets at least eight hours of sun per day is ideal, and if you can place it on brick or concrete, even better, because the soil will soak up all of that heat and the plants will love it.
