Guide to Cultivating Watermelons from Seeds for a Tempting Summer Harvest
Ready for some juicy tips on growing your own watermelons? These tasty summer treats are easier to produce from seed than you might think! While nursery-started plants are an option, watermelons are among the simplest crops to sow from scratch. They'll be ripe and ready to harvest in just 70 to 100 days!
Whether you're planting indoors, outdoors, or in pots, here's a step-by-step guide on how to ensure a successful watermelon garden.
A Variety of Watermelons
Growing watermelons from seed opens up the chance to explore lesser-known varieties that aren't typically available in nurseries. With over 1,200 types of watermelons, they can generally be grouped into three categories based on their care needs and size:
- Early-season or "icebox" melons are the quickest to mature and are perfect for your fridge. These watermelons fruit between 70 to 75 days after planting and include favorites such as 'Sugar Baby' and 'Early Moonbeam'.
- Main-season melons are larger and take longer to ripen, typically harvestable 80 to 90 days after planting. Notable varieties include 'Moon and Stars' and 'Orangeglo'.
- Seedless watermelons are fruit without seeds. These plants require at least one type of seeded melon for proper pollination. 'Tropical Sunshine' and 'Chubbiness' are seedless options.
Maximizing Your Watermelon Harvest
The Right Time to Plant
While most gardeners favor direct sowing, it's possible to start watermelon seeds indoors if you're in a cold climate keen on extending the growing season. Simply plant seeds two to three weeks before the last frost date, but keep them inside until two weeks after the frost, allowing them to become hardy. Outdoor planting should commence once soil temperatures have reached 65°F (21°C).
Outdoor Preparation
When preparing to plant outdoors, choose roomy, well-draining grow bags or pots that hold at least 5 gallons of soil. Smaller containers are suitable for icebox or bush-type watermelons. Frequent watering and the risk of root-bound plants may result from smaller containers, so be mindful of adequate drainage.
Before planting, incorporate several inches of organic matter like compost to enrich the soil. Acidic soil with a pH range of around 6.0 to 6.8 is ideal for ensuring optimal nutrient uptake.
Create low, 2-foot diameter hills with the amended soil to encourage warmer soil and better drainage. Space the hills around 5 feet apart to accommodate growth. If you prefer not to sow seeds in hills, black plastic mulch could be used to warm the soil before planting.
Planting Process
Plant five to six seeds per hill or pot, burying them approximately 1 inch deep. Soaking seeds before planting is unnecessary. If you use plastic mulch, create planting holes that allow water to penetrate the soil.
After seeds germinate, around 4 to 12 days later, thin out the weakest plants, leaving two or three seedlings per hill, pot, or planting hole.
Outdoor Care
Once the plants begin producing lush foliage, cover the soil with 1 to 2 inches of straw mulch. This insulates the soil and helps retain moisture.
Consider adopting the melon pit method. Dig 3-foot deep pits in your garden, fill with compost, food waste, or organic debris, top with a few inches of soil, plant seeds 1 inch deep, and water thoroughly.
Indoor Planting
Starting watermelon seeds indoors provides a few extra weeks of growing season, particularly beneficial in cooler climates. When sowing indoors, use biodegradable pots to avoid containing the young plants in seed-starting trays, which limit root space.
Sow seeds approximately ½ inch deep, making sure the seed-starting mix is pre-moistened. After germinating, thin out the weakest seedlings.
Harden off the seedlings for one to two weeks before planting in prepared garden beds or pots. In the meantime, introduce them gradually to outdoor conditions to protect the delicate roots.
In summary, a little planning and care are all it takes to grow succulent watermelons right in your backyard! Enjoy the satisfaction of picking fresh, home-grown fruit ripe off the vine.
- For a diverse watermelon garden, consider experimenting with various watermelon varieties, some of which are not commonly found in nurseries, as growing watermelons from seed offers more options.
- To maximize your watermelon harvest, plant seeds indoors or outdoors when soil temperatures have reached 65°F (21°C), or two to three weeks before the last frost date if you're in a cold climate.
- To provide strong, healthy plants, create 2-foot diameter hills with well-draining, nutrient-rich soil enriched with organic matter, and place them 5 feet apart in your home-and-garden or home-and-garden, ensuring proper growth and space for edible gardening.
