Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Preparing for Planting
• Method 2 of 3: Planting a watermelon
• Method 3 of 3: Harvesting
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) grow on thin, climbing or creeping stems with large leaves. They love warmth, and if all the conditions for growth are created for them, then they will not require much attention. This article provides instructions for planting and caring for watermelons.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preparing for Planting

1. 1 Choose which variety of watermelon you want to grow. The fruits of different varieties of watermelon will differ from each other in shape, size, and color. For example, their weight can be from 1 to 32 kg, and the pulp is red or yellow. Watermelons such as Charleston Gray or Photon are large, cylindrical in shape, while Sugar Baby will be smaller and rounder.
   • Decide how you will plant your watermelon seeds. Watermelon seeds require temperatures above 21 degrees Celsius for germination.If you live in a cool climate, then it makes sense to germinate them indoors. If your climate is favorable, i.e. the temperature is steadily kept at 21 degrees, then sow the seeds directly into the ground.
   • You can buy already germinated watermelon seeds instead of sprouting them at home.
2. 2 Choose a landing site. Watermelon requires a minimum of 6 hours of sun each day. The stems of watermelon can grow a long way, so plan to set aside a meter by two for each plant (unless you are planting small varieties).
3. 3 Prepare the soil. You will need to thoroughly loosen the soil, breaking up any large chunks of soil. Shoot the weeds.
   • Watermelons love loamy and fertile soils, as well as soils that absorb water well. To determine if your soil is absorbing water well, take a look at it after a heavy rain. If you see puddles, the water is not absorbing well enough.
   • Fertilize the soil with compost regularly.
   • Watermelons grow best in soils with an acidity (pH) of 6.0 to 6.8. Check the acidity of your soil and determine if the reading is appropriate for the growth of watermelons. If the acidity is not suitable, you can change it by adding certain chemicals available in specialty stores.

Method 2 of 3: Planting a watermelon

1. 1 Make mounds of the earth. Use a hoe to make mounds of the ground where you will plant the seeds. The distance between the mounds should be from 60 cm to 1.8 m, depending on the planting area. Elevated soil will help the roots grow easier and get oxygen for themselves, as well as rid the plants of excess moisture, or, conversely, help retain moisture in dry weather.
2. 2 Plant seeds. Make a small indentation at the top of the mound, and then use a tool or your finger to poke three or four holes about one inch deep in it. Place one to four seeds in each hole, then cover with soil, compacting slightly to help the seeds retain moisture better.
3. 3 Watch when the sprouts appear. Seedlings will appear in 7-10 days, depending on soil temperature and planting depth. Water the soil during the germination period. The water should reach the seeds and emerging roots.
   • When the seedlings sprout, thin them out, leaving the two strongest sprouts more room to grow.
   • Do not let the soil dry out; you should water the sprouts at least once a day.
4. 4 When the shoots have reached a height of about 10 cm, cover the mounds with a suitable material. You can use sawdust or compost. Sprinkle the cover as close to the plants as possible to keep weeds and overheating away, and to help them retain moisture.
5. 5 Water the watermelons less when they bloom. Once the melons are in full bloom, water them about once every 3 days if very dry. However, don't overdo it. Watermelons don't require a lot of water.
   • Keep the leaves and fruits dry. You can place the fruit on a piece of plywood, smooth pebbles, bricks, etc.
   • On very hot days, the leaves are likely to wilt, even in wet soil. If the leaves remain wilted in the evening, after a hot day, then start watering more watermelons.
   • Watermelons can become sweeter if not watered for a week before harvesting. However, do not do this if the stems begin to wither from lack of water. After you harvest your crop, start watering your melon as before so that you have a subsequent crop.
6. 6 Weed the melon regularly. Weed around the watermelons as well as along the stems.

Method 3 of 3: Harvesting

1. 1 Check that the watermelons are ripe. Under ideal conditions, watermelons mature to full ripeness in about four months. If you pick them before maturity, they will be less tasty.
   • To check the ripeness of a watermelon, tap on it. A dull sound will mean that the watermelon is ripe. Also, check the bottom of the watermelon where the stalk is.The watermelon is ripe if the spot turns pale yellow instead of white.
   • The stalk of the watermelon should begin to dry out when it's ready to be harvested.
2. 2 Separate the watermelon from the vine. Use a sharp knife or garden shears to cut the watermelon from the vine. Freshly harvested watermelons can be stored for up to 10 days.

Tips

• You can harvest from 2 to 5 watermelons from a vine.

Warnings

• Watch out for cucumber beetles. This pest also loves watermelons. Other pests include aphids and mites.
• Do not sow seeds until the temperature is at least 15.5 degrees Celsius. The preferred soil temperature will be 24º C. If necessary, grow seedlings in pots.
• Watermelons are easily damaged by frost.
• Don't wait too long to harvest. Watermelons can be overripe.
• Watermelons can be “burned” with fertilizers. Prepare commercial fertilizers well before using them and do not apply them in large quantities.
• Downy mildew and powdery mildew can be a problem for watermelons. Note that cucumber beetles carry bacteria that cause leaf wilting. Therefore, keep the beetles under control.

What do you need

• garden tools
• Seeds or seedlings