Watermelon Plants

Watermelon plants can be grown at home as well as on farms? You just need to remember certain things about planting, watering and harvesting watermelons to be just as successful with home gardening.

Planting and Spacing

The watermelon plants seeds grow best in sandy loam soil although clay soil can also yield almost equal yields provided that the raised planting rows are mulched and covered with black plastic film.

The seeds will germinate best only at soil temperatures of 68 degrees to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, with 77 degrees at the best temperature where the seedlings emerge in just 5 days. Plant when the danger of frost is long past.

When planting the seeds, dig holes of about 1 inch deep. The spacing between hills for the watermelon differs depending on the type of irrigation used. For land with no irrigation 6 to 8 feet between hills is good while for land with irrigation, 5 to 6 feet is sufficient.

If you are using trickle irrigation with plastic mulch, between row spacing is set at 6-8 feet with 3 feet of in-row spaces. Icebox watermelons will be just fine with 2 feet of in-row spacing and 5 feet of between row spacing.

Watering and Fertilizing

You have to ensure that the soil is uniformly moist for good germination. You can determine if the watermelon need watering when the soil is dry to the touch. If it is dry, then water should be applied but only for moisture, not too much wetness as it encourages diseases. Also, provide water only in the mornings to avoid wet foliage, pests and diseases.

Keep in mind that watermelons are relatively heavy feeders. As such, it is important to fertilize on a regular basis as well as add manure, compost and leaves to the soil, making sure that these materials are worked well.

During the pre-flowering phase, it is essential to use a high nitrogen fertilizer to encourage growth. When the flowers are in evidence, you have to switch to a high potassium and phosphorus fertilizer as well as add generous amounts of foliar feeding and liquid fertilizers.

Getting Rid of Pests

Watermelon plants, unfortunately, are highly susceptible to many types of pests, of which cucumber beetles are their worst enemies. It is essential to apply insecticides as early as possible against pests. Of course, you have to regularly weed and prune the plants so as to provide fro good air circulation as well as to prevent pests from attacking. Keep in mind that healthy plants are more resistant to pests, fungi and bacteria.

Harvesting

How does one know when the watermelons are ripe for the picking? Well, you can thump on them but that will take practice. Instead, you should look for signs like a brown tendril next to the fruit, a yellowing of the fruit's underside and the ceasing of growth. Better yet, use a hand refractometer to measure sweetness, the ideal figure being 10 percent.

Growing watermelon plants is as easy as can be. You just need practice, patience and passion and a good harvest will be yours.

Go to Growing Watermelon from Watermelon Plants