Use these tips to learn how to grow watermelon as your summer treat!
How to Grow Watermelon
Watermelon is a fun fruit to grow that will taste so amazing when you are finally able to harvest it at the end of the long growing season. If you have never had the joy of growing a watermelon in your garden, you are in for a real treat. Here are some tips for growing watermelons from seed to harvest.
How to Grow Watermelon from Seed Indoors
Growing watermelon from seed and starting your seedlings indoors is best for those that live in a cooler or northern climate. Watermelons are native to Africa so they do have a long growing season and require hot weather for the best results.
Start your seeds about 3 weeks before you plan on planting them outdoors after the last frost. Keep the soil warm with a gardener’s heating pad. Make sure your soil is damp before planting seeds and do not water them until seedlings appear. For more information on how to start watermelon seeds, including starting them outdoors, check out this post.
How to Transplant Watermelon Seedlings
Watermelon seedlings have tender root systems and can be easily damaged by frost. Because of this, you will want to take extra care when transplanting them. Do not shake the excess dirt off from the seed starting sections and wait until timing is perfect. Do not plant too early when the danger of frost is still them. Similarly, do not plant too late as watermelons require a long growing season. For more information on transplanting watermelon seeds, check out this post.
Watermelon Pests to Watch Out For
As with most plants, aphids can be an issue. These can be removed with a quick splash of water. Other pests include cucumber beetles. These are hard to pick off with your hands, but The Old Farmer’s Almanac says that if you coat your gloves with petroleum jelly they can come off easier. Check out more information on how to get rid of cucumber beetles and identify them on this post from them.
https://www.almanac.com/pest/cucumber-beetles
Tips for Caring for Watermelons in your Garden
Watering is very important for watermelons because they are, after all, called watermelons for a reason. When plants are growing, before they flower or start to grow fruit, you will want to keep them watered well. Do not water from the top, but rather at the base of the stem.
When the plant has fruit and flowers, back off on watering a bit. You will get juicier fruit if you keep them a bit dryer.
How to Harvest Watermelon
Harvesting watermelon requires good timing and depends on the variety you grew. Unlike many fruits, they will not get sweeter after being picked. To see if a watermelon is ready to be harvested, you can check it in a few ways. Tap on it a bit; if it sounds hollow, it is perfectly ripe. Check the skin. If it is getting a bit duller and harder, it is ripe and ready.
In order to harvest, you will simply need a sharp knife. Cut off the watermelon from the base with it. Store your watermelon for up to a week and a half after it’s been harvested.
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