1 of 2

Write now Article Tools

"The true southern watermelon is a boon apart, and not to be mentioned with commoner things. It is chief of this world's luxuries, king by the grace of God over all the fruits of the earth." So said Mark Twain of his favorite delicacy, and many emphatically agree when they have indulged in that most luscious of home-ripened fruits. Occasionally you will find a truly luscious store-bought watermelon; but generally speaking, home grown is always better.

So how do you grow your own? If you don't have a lot of room, you probably need to look for a good farmer's market or fruit stand. But if you have plenty of gardening space watermelons are not hard to grow. Indeed, if you let the kids eat watermelon outside and spit the seeds, you may find watermelon growing everywhere.

Southern Climates

The best watermelons are grown in the south where summers are long and rain is predictable. For best results choose from the main season varieties; Charleston Gray, Crimson Sweet, Madera, Parker, Sangria, Sunny's Pride, or Sweet Favorite. These are all varieties of red watermelon and mature in 80 to 85 days. The Madera produces an average fruit of 14 to 22 pounds. All the rest produce fruit of 20 to 25 pounds.

Till the ground to remove all weeds, as watermelon plants do not share well. Prepare the soil by adding aged manure and peat. Watermelon plants love rich, loamy, sandy soil that drains well. Space your rows 6 feet apart. Make hills about 3 feet apart. Plant 2 or 3 seeds in each hill, about an inch deep, and water deeply. Keep moist until the seedlings are about one inch tall. When the seedlings are about three inches tall, cull out the weaker ones and keep the best.

Watermelon plants have moderately deep roots. They will benefit from mulching to control weeds, or hoe very shallowly around the hills. They should not need watering unless the weather turns dry for a prolonged period.

Northern Climates

In colder climates the early varieties will stand a better chance of ripening in the shorter growing season. Choose Golden Crown or Sugar Baby for red watermelon, or Yellow Baby or Yellow Doll for yellow watermelon. They mature in 70 to 75 days and yield 6 to 10 pound fruit.

You can stretch your growing season by starting your seeds indoors, about three weeks before the last frost is due. Plant 3 or 4 seeds in small seed pots filled with peat moss or pellets, or potting soil. Keep soil moist but do not over-water. Thin to the two best seedlings when about an inch high.

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about How to grow watermelons?
We want to hear your view. Write now!