Watermelon plants love the heat, and need a long and warm growing season of at least 70 to 85 days, depending on the variety, to produce sweet fruit. They grow best when daytime temperatures fall between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime temperatures fall between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
How hot is too hot for watermelon?
Watermelon seed will germinate in about 10 days at 65°F (18°C), sooner in warmer soil. Watermelons grow best in air temperatures ranging from 70° to 90°F (21-32°C). Avoid growing watermelon where night temperatures dip below 50°F (10°C); this will cause the fruit to lose flavor. If temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C).
Can watermelon get too much sun?
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.
Can watermelons grow in the desert?
For those with less access to water in arid regions, don’t despair, try growing Desert King watermelons. Desert King is a drought tolerant watermelon that still produces reliably juicy melons.
How do you grow a watermelon in the sun?
Watermelons require full sun for proper growth. For full sun, choose a location where watermelons receive eight to 10 hours of direct sunlight. The plants need sun to remain healthy and productive. Choose a garden location where trees, buildings or other structures do not block the sun and shade the plants.
Do melons grow well in heat?
That does not mean the garden will be blank for the summer months, because some of our favorite vegetables and fruits thrive in hot weather. Melons and squash will grow during the sizzling summer, but they require a certain amount of preparation.
Do melons like heat?
In the garden, a melon likes it hot. This goes for the green-flesh honeydew; salmon-fleshed cantaloupe; the many hybrids of the two; or yet another melon, that staple of every summer picnic, watermelon. All melons like some space, warm soil and endless sunlight and respond with wandering vines that bear ample fruit.
Do watermelons need a lot of water?
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.
How long do watermelons take to grow?
It takes the shortest amount of time to mature, about 70 to 75 days. A main-season watermelon is larger and takes longer to ripen, usually 80 to 90 days. Seedless watermelons are an interesting exercise in plant genetics.
Where do watermelons grow best?
Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Give plants a fabulous start to the growing season by improving native soil with several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter.
Does watermelon grow in sand?
Watermelons thrive in well-drained, sandy loam, which consists of not only sand, but also smaller amounts of silt and clay. Sometimes it is difficult to identify soil types, but soil with a high sand content drains so quickly that water barely puddles after a hard rain.
How many watermelons do you get per plant?
2-4 fruits
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.
How do I make my watermelon sweeter when growing?
Sweetness Starts in the Soil
To encourage strong growth, blend 4 to 6 inches of composted manure into your melon beds prior to planting. Then add a balanced organic fertilizer (such as a mixed blood meal/bone meal product) every 3 to 4 weeks.
How many hours of sun do watermelons need?
8 hours a
Watermelons love the sun! If you’re just learning how to grow watermelon, you’ll need to know that they are definitely sun-worshipping plants. They create their own shade beneath their leaf cover for the vine and its fruit to stay protected. Watermelons require 8 hours a day of sunlight to thrive.
Can watermelon be grown in pots?
Yes, you can grow watermelon in pots. But there are some important guidelines you’ll want to follow to set yourself up for success. Watermelons are fun to grow in pots, but they must be cared for properly.
What month do you plant watermelon seeds?
The best time to plant watermelon seeds is from late spring to early summer, or when the soil temperature reaches 70 degrees or above. Watermelon seeds germinate easily and quickly, and seedlings don’t usually transplant well, so there’s no need to start them in a pot or seed tray.
What melons grow in summer?
Muskmelons along with watermelons are termed summer melons because they come to harvest from mid to late summer. Winter melons—which are grown during the summer like muskmelons–are ready for harvest in late summer and autumn. Winter melons include casaba, Crenshaw, honeydews, and Persian melons.
How often should watermelon be watered?
Watering Schedules
Watermelons do not need a particularly large amount of water at planting times, though they benefit from a thorough drenching of 1 to 2 inches of water every week. Make sure the soil is wet to a depth of 6 inches every time you water.
What temperature do melons grow in?
Melon seed germination is best between 70°F and 90°F. Plant only after the soil temperature has reached 65°F, when nights as well as days are warm.
How do you speed up the growth of a watermelon?
To maximize the size of the melons, water the plants at the base in regular, deep-watering sessions that keep the soil moist. Side dress the watermelon plants with fertilizer designed for edible crops or compost tea to feed the plants. The fertilizer encourages growth to get larger melons.
What is the best fertilizer for watermelons?
For watermelons, apply a fertilizer high in phosphorous, such as 10-10-10, at a rate of 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet (60 to 90 feet of row). Make a trench on the planting bed 4 to 6 inches deep and 2 inches from the side of the row. Cover the fertilizer and plant so seeds do not touch the fertilizer.
