Growing watermelons from seeds can be a rewarding gardening project, particularly when you slice into a juicy, homegrown melon during the heat of summer.
Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) thrive in warm weather and require a bit of space to flourish, making them perfect for large gardens.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to successfully grow watermelons from seeds, from planting to harvest.
Choosing Watermelon Seeds
Start by selecting a watermelon variety that suits your climate and space availability. There are numerous varieties to choose from, including large picnic types like ‘Crimson Sweet,’ or smaller, icebox types like ‘Sugar Baby.’
For those with limited space, compact varieties such as ‘Bush Sugar Baby’ are ideal as they require less room to grow.
Best Time to Plant
Watermelons require warm soil and a long growing season. For most regions, the best time to plant watermelon seeds is in late spring or early summer, once the threat of frost has passed and soil temperatures reach at least 70°F (21°C).
In cooler climates, you can start seeds indoors about a month before transplanting outside.
Soil Preparation
Watermelons prefer a well-draining soil rich in nutrients. Choose a sunny site and prepare your garden bed by incorporating several inches of compost or aged manure to enrich the soil.
Watermelons prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0, so consider testing your soil and adjusting the pH as needed.
Planting the Seeds
- Direct Sowing: Plant watermelon seeds directly in the ground in raised mounds or hills. Space the hills about 3 to 4 feet apart in rows 6 to 8 feet apart. Sow 2 to 3 seeds per hill, planting them 1 inch deep.
- Indoor Start: If starting indoors, use peat pots or seed starting trays, and plant 2 to 3 seeds per pot about 1 inch deep. Keep the soil moist and warm to encourage germination.
Care and Maintenance
- Thinning: Once seedlings sprout and are a few inches tall, thin them to the strongest plant per hill by snipping off the weaker seedlings at soil level.
- Watering: Watermelons require plenty of water, especially during the fruit setting and growing stages. Water deeply once a week, delivering 1 to 2 inches of water to soak the soil thoroughly. Avoid watering the foliage directly to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
- Fertilizing: Feed watermelon plants with a balanced fertilizer during planting and again as vines start to grow. When fruits begin to form, switch to a phosphorus and potassium-rich fertilizer to enhance fruit development.
- Weeding and Mulching: Keep the garden bed free of weeds and apply a layer of mulch around the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the soil warm.
Pollination
Watermelons require pollination to produce fruit. Each vine produces male and female flowers. Inadequate pollination can result in small or misshapen fruits.
If natural pollinators are scarce, you may need to hand-pollinate flowers by gently transferring pollen from male flowers to female flowers with a small brush.
Harvesting
Watermelon fruits are ready to harvest about 80-100 days after sowing, depending on the variety.
Signs that a watermelon is ripe include a dull sounding thump when tapped, a yellowing underside where it touches the ground, and a drying tendril nearest the stem. Use a sharp knife to cut the watermelon from the vine.
Conclusion
Growing watermelons from seeds is a fun summer gardening activity that can yield delicious rewards.
With proper care, suitable conditions, and a bit of patience, you can enjoy the fresh taste of ripe watermelons directly from your garden.
Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a beginner, the process of growing these iconic fruits is sure to enhance your gardening experience.