Table of Contents
Plant melons when the soil warms up in mid spring. This would be about mid April in north Texas, late March to early April in central parts of the state and mid to late March along the coastal region. Prior to planting work 1 to 2 cups of a complete fertilizer into the soil per 50 square feet of garden bed area.
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.
How long does it take to grow watermelon?
How long does it take for a watermelon to grow to full size? Watermelons require 80-90 days from seed sowing to grow a full-size watermelon. Some smaller-sized watermelons (like Sugar Baby) can reach maturity in closer to 70 days.
How do you grow watermelon in Texas?
Melons grow best on a deep, well drained, sandy or sandy loam soil with plenty of organic matter. Heavy soils with a lot of clay often cause small, weak plants that produce fewer melons. Melons prefer soils with a neutral pH, and if the soil is too acidic the plants will drop their blossoms.
What is the best watermelon to grow in Texas?
Top Central TX Watermelons and Harvesting Tips Black Diamond (dark green rind, bright red flesh, juicy, sweet) Crimson Sweet (light and dark green stripes, red flesh, very sweet) Charleston Gray (medium green rind, red flesh, crisp, fiberless) Bush Sugar Baby (light and dark green stripes, red flesh, flavorful).
Can I plant watermelon in April?
Planting Times In warmer climates, like Texas and the hotter areas of California, planting time for watermelons is December through early July, although April through July is more common.
Can you grow watermelon in Texas?
Watermelons are an annual crop in Texas. Harvest starts in early May in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (South Texas), June in the area west of San Antonio (Wintergarden), June – July in East Texas, late summer – early fall in the Cross Timbers area, and in September and October in the High Plains.
How many watermelons will one seed produce?
How Many Watermelons per Plant? Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant.
Are watermelons easy growing?
Growing watermelons requires lots of space, lots of sun, lots of water and lots of nutrients. Watermelons are not particularly difficult to grow but because they are so demanding I don’t consider watermelons a good plant for beginner gardeners. (You can get lucky if you live in the perfect climate with perfect soil.).
Are you supposed to turn watermelons as they grow?
When it turns yellow, it’s a sign of ripeness. Be careful not to rotate your melon too much when you check the coloring or you may damage the vine. Just tip the fruit up enough to peek under it. On ripe melons, the green, curly tendrils near the stem start to dry out and turn brown.
Do watermelons need full sun?
Light. 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.
How much space do watermelons need?
Watermelons need A LOT of space—up to 20 square feet per plant. Their vines need room to sprawl, so plant them in a place where they won’t crowd out other crops. Growing the vines in raised rows, known as hills, ensures good drainage and will hold the sun’s heat longer.
How many watermelon plants can you grow in an acre?
Spacing and number of plants Spacing followed by farmers in cultivating watermelon is 4 – 5 feet in between rows and 2 feet to 2.5 feet in between plants. The number of plants per acre may range from 3400 to 4500. The seed requirement ranges from 400 gms to1.
How do you prepare soil for watermelon?
Melons grow best on well-drained, sandy loam soils, with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Soils with a pH less than 6.0 will produce plants with yellow foliage that set few or no fruit. You can improve your soil by adding well-rotted manure or compost in spring or fall.
Where are the best watermelons in Texas?
Harvest season starts in April in the lower Rio Grande Valley; in June and July watermelons are ripe in the Winter Garden and East Texas, and in August the Rolling Plains area is ready for harvest. Late summer and early fall harvests of watermelon can be found in the Southern High Plains.
Should you pre soak watermelon seeds before planting?
Many types of plant seeds benefit from pre-planting soaking to soften the outer seed coating and hasten germination. However, watermelons are an exception to the rule. Soaking the seeds before planting increases the risks of various fungal diseases, such as anthracnose caused by the Colletotrichum lagenarium fungus.
Do watermelons come back every year?
Watermelon plants do not come back every year as they are tender annuals. Though this does mean you need to sow watermelon seeds every year, thankfully they are quick growing plus planting new plants each year also reduces the likelihood of disease.
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.
Why are my baby watermelons rotting?
More often than not, watermelon blossom end rot occurs when water levels are fluctuating during fruit initiation. A steady supply of water is required to move calcium to these young fruits, but too much isn’t good, either – good drainage is necessary for healthy roots.
