Lets turn that Stardew Valley fantasy into reality!
So, grab your gardening gloves, and lets dig into the sweet world of growing watermelons!
Consider size, flavor, and growth habits.
Use mounds or hills for better drainage and warmth.
Care: Watermelons love the sun, so ensure they get 810 hours of direct sunlight.
Maintain consistent soil moisture and use mulch to help with water retention and weed control.
Remember, they dont ripen off the vine.
Rotate crops annually to prevent disease build-up.
This is just a snapshot of how to grow watermelon at home.
For a more in-depth guide covering everything from soil preparation to harvesting, keep reading.
Its packed with tips and insights to make your watermelon patch a success!
Sugar Baby
Image source:norcal_gardengal
Sugar Baby watermelonsare a classic choice for home gardeners.
This juicy variety is known for its small size, making it perfect for growing in limited spaces.
Theyre also relatively easy to grow, which is a bonus for beginners.
This heirloom variety is a conversation starter and adds an ornamental touch to your garden!
It produces a similarly sweet fruit but on a bush-punch in plant, requiring less space to sprawl.
They are perfect for gardeners looking to try something a little different.
The taste is sweet, with a slightly different flavor profile compared to the classic red-fleshed varieties.
This variety is known for its large, striped fruits with deep red, sweet flesh.
Its particularly valued for its disease resistance, making it a reliable choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
Choose the sunniest part of your garden, as watermelons are sun lovers.
The best time to plantwatermelon seedsis in late spring or early summer when the soil has warmed up.
This warm soil is just what the seeds need to germinate and start their growth.
Heres a quick and easy approach it’s possible for you to follow:
1.
Plant your seeds when the soil temperature is at least 70F (21C).
This warmth is crucial for good germination.
Consider planting seeds on small mounds or hills.
This method helps warm the soil faster, promotes better drainage, and encourages quicker germination and growth.
Pay attention to the spacing recommendations on your seed packet, especially for larger varieties.
Sow 4 to 5 seeds per hill at a depth of 1 in (2.5 cm).
After seedlings emerge, thin them to the two strongest per hill.
Keep the soil evenly moist during germination.
Once seedlings are established, use mulch-like dry grass clippings or straws to control weeds and retain soil moisture.
Heres how to succeed with transplants:
1.
Opt for healthy plants, preferably those grown in peat pots, to minimize root disturbance.
Handle the roots gently during planting.
Use the same spacing as for seeds.
Plant two strong transplants per hill, following the recommended spacing for your variety.
Water thoroughly after planting.
For container growing, choose compact or bush-bang out varieties.
Ensure your container can hold at least 810 gal (3038 L) of soil and has good drainage.
Regular watering and feeding are essential for container-grown watermelons.
Wondering how long does it take for watermelon to grow after flowering?
They thrive in rich, well-drained sandy soil.
Before planting, its beneficial to enrich your garden bed withcompostor aged manure.
Mulching around your plants will aid in moisture retention and weed control.
A drip irrigation system also works wonders.
As for sunlight, these plants are real sun-seekers.
They need a generous amount of sunthink 8 to 10 hours a dayto develop those sweet, flavorful fruits.
Temperature and Humidity
Image source:Nikki Son
Watermelons thrive in warm seasons.
They need long, hot summers with temperatures around 80F (27C) or higher for optimal growth.
If you live in a cooler climate, consider using black plastic mulch to warm the soil.
Watermelons arent frost-tolerant, so plant them after the last frost date in your area.
Pruning
Pruning watermelon plants isnt typically necessary.
A large containerminimum 8 gal (about 30 L)with good drainage and lightweight potting soil is ideal.
Small watermelon varieties are best for this setup.
When youre looking for fertilizers, youll often see these represented as three numbers, like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20.
Our recommendation is to test your soil before planting.
If its low in nutrients, add abalanced fertilizer(like 10-10-10) before planting.
Mix it into the top few inches of soil.
Early growth: When watermelon plants are small, they need more nitrogen to grow strong leaves and stems.
Now, they need more phosphorus and potassium for fruit development.
A fertilizer lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium is ideal.
Here are some signs to look for:
Check the spot where the melon rests on the ground.
If it turns from pale green or white to a yellow color, its a good sign of ripeness.
Look at the tendrils near the stem.
When they start to dry out and turn brown, its an indication that the melon is ripe.
Ripe watermelons often have a duller surface color, losing the glossy sheen of their growing phase.
Remember, unlike tomatoes that continue to ripen once theyve been picked,watermelons dont ripen off the vine.
Once picked, they wont continue to ripen or become sweeter.
The ripening process for watermelons only happens while they are still attached to the vine.
Watermelon plants can attract a variety of uninvited guests, includingaphids,mites,thrips,beetles, andcutworms.
The young plants are especially vulnerable and need extra care withrow coversto keep the pests at bay.
And speaking of pollination, this is crucial for watermelons.
Sometimes, the fruits might end up a little oddly shaped, which can be a sign ofinsufficient pollination.
To create a pollinator-friendly zone, consider planting nectar-rich flowers nearbybees love lavender, borage, and sunflowers!
Its a simple way to invite these little friends over and ensure a good set of well-shaped fruits.
Diseasescan be sneaky, so its wise to start with a strong foundation.
Keep an eye out for any troubling signs like soggy spots or dead areas on leaves.
Crop rotation is another key strategy.
Its all about balancekeeping the soil moist but not drenched.
When you get this right, youre well on your way to enjoying those sweet, juicy watermelons.
With these tips and a bit of attention, your watermelon patch will be the envy of the neighborhood!
FAQs
Do Watermelons Come Back Every Year?
Watermelons are annual plants, meaning they complete their life cycle in one growing season.
After harvesting, the plant wont come back the next year.
For fresh watermelons each year, youll need to plant new seeds or transplants annually.
What Makes Watermelon Grow Sweeter and Bigger?
Some varieties are naturally sweeter and larger.
Heres a neat trickreduce watering a bit when the fruits are nearly ready to harvest.
This helps concentrate the sugars in the fruit, making your watermelons even sweeter.
But be careful not to under-water drastically as it can stress the plant.
Do Watermelons Need Sun or Shade to Grow?
Watermelons require full sun to grow properly.
They thrive in warm conditions and need around 810 hours of direct sunlight each day.
While they can tolerate some light shade, too much can lead to poor fruit development and reduced sweetness.
