The Key To Growing Healthy, Juicy and Delicious Watermelons

Watermelons are one of the most popular summertime fruits. They’re sweet, refreshing, and juicy — the perfect combination of nutrients to keep you hydrated and energized during hot summer days. But growing watermelons isn’t as simple as throwing some watermelon seeds into the ground and waiting for them to sprout. Like any other plant, watermelons need the right amount of sunlight, moisture, and nutrients to thrive.

We’ve listed some tips and tricks that will help you grow your own delicious watermelon patch in no time.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF WATERMELONS

From exceptionally sweet and luscious crimson sweet watermelons to petite icebox melons, there’s a wide variety of watermelons available on the market. Before buying any type of watermelon seeds, it’s important to check out the germination rate and growing requirements of each type. This will help you know how long it takes for the seeds to sprout and yield fruit.

If you can’t wait for half a year to enjoy the fruits of your labor, we’d recommend you get early-season watermelons as they can take anywhere between 70 to 75 days to mature.

TIPS TO GROW JUICY AND FLAVORFUL WATERMELONS

Pick the right location

Before you plant your watermelons, choose an ideal spot in the garden. Watermelons like their soil to be warm, so you should start the seeds indoors for six to eight weeks before your last frost date when your garden soil is 65 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer.

If you want your watermelon patch to thrive, you should plant them on a south-facing slope where it will get lots of sunlight for most of the day. Also, make sure there are no shade trees nearby.

Plant the seed

Once you’ve selected the ideal spot, it’s time to plant the seed. But before moving on, you must check the pH level of the soil. If it’s too acidic, you can add lime to help neutralize the soil. If it’s too alkaline, try adding sulfur until it reaches a pH level of 6.0 to 6.5.

After that, dig holes about one and a half inches deep and 18 to 24 inches apart. Place one seed into each hole and cover it back up with soil. Water the soil and then place a stake or other support nearby to help the plant grow straight up.

Don’t over-water

Watermelons are a very thirsty crop and require a lot of moisture, but they shouldn’t be watered every day. Because watermelons are also susceptible to several fungal diseases that thrive in wet conditions, overwatering can actually cause more harm than good. To prevent the disease from developing, you should let the plant dry out between watering sessions by withholding irrigation for several days at a time.

You should also ensure that all parts of your vines receive adequate moisture without being over-soaked and drowned out by too much water stress (which can cause premature ripening or even kill off vines). You may also want to consider mulching your watermelon patch with a thick layer of straw or hay to help keep the soil from drying out.

Use a trellis system

Watermelons are heavy, and they need some support as they grow. If you let them sprout on the ground, you’re inviting rot into your patch. You can support the vines by staking or trellising them, but another great option is growing watermelons in a raised bed. In this case, you’ll want to make sure that the beds are at least two feet off the ground and six feet wide so that there is enough room for all of your plants.

Harvesting watermelons

Harvest watermelons when they reach a diameter of 18 to 20 inches. This can take up to 90 days, so be patient. To harvest, cut the stem with a sharp knife as close to the base of the melon as possible. The goal is to remove all of it without damaging or bruising the fruit. Then wash your hands thoroughly and slice open your juicy masterpiece!

FINAL WORDS

Watermelons are the ultimate summer treat, and growing them yourself is a great way to save money and get your hands dirty. If you want to grow big, juicy fruit that’s bursting with flavor, make sure to pick organic seeds, mix just the right amount of compost and fertilizer, and give them plenty of sunlight and water for optimal growth.