what temperature does watermelon grow in

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What is the best climate for growing watermelons?

• Make sure the soil is warm. Wait until the soil is consistently 70°F or warmer before planting out your watermelon.
• Remember that watermelon are heavy feeders. Watermelon plants need lots of nutrients. ...
• Water thoroughly. ...
• Water wisely. ...
• Give your plants space. ...
• Don't harvest too early. ...
• Rotate your crops. ...

What is the best way to grow watermelon?

Till the soil.

• Watermelons like loamy, fertile, well-drained soil. To determine whether your soil gets good enough drainage, take a look at it after a heavy rain. ...
• To further enrich the soil, till compost into the top of layers.
• Watermelons grow best in soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. ...

What is your secret to growing watermelons?

Tricks to Growing Large Watermelons

• Choose a Large Variety. Like many fruits and vegetables, watermelons come in different varieties that affect the mature size.
• Space Plants Properly. A planting area at least 4 feet-by-6 feet gives larger watermelon varieties the space they need to grow fully.
• Provide the Right Nutrients. ...
• Know When to Harvest. ...

What climate and soil a watermelon need to grow?

Watermelons need long growing season and warm climatic conditions for the seeds to grow and then germinate. Soil temperature must be 21°C during seed plantation. They are ready to harvest when the melon fruit turns yellow at the bottom and stem changes to brown color.

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How cold can watermelon plants tolerate?

Avoid growing watermelon where night temperatures dip below 50°F (10°C); this will cause the fruit to lose flavor. If temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C). for several days, flowers will drop without setting fruit. Watermelons require 65 to 90 frost-free days to reach harvest depending on the variety.

Can you grow watermelon in winter?

Winter watermelon culture is only possible in warm, frost-free climates or heated greenhouses in cooler climates. Another winter watermelon growing possibility is starting watermelon seeds indoors during the late winter and transplanting the seedlings to the garden in spring when the threat of a late frost is over.

Can you grow watermelon in hot weather?

Melons and squash will grow during the sizzling summer, but they require a certain amount of preparation.

Do watermelons like a lot of water?

Typically, watermelon plants need 1-2 inches of water per week so that the soil stays moist but not wet. If you're not getting enough rain each week, make sure you give your plants an extra drink.

What month do you plant watermelon?

Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70° F or above. Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.

What is the lifespan of a watermelon plant?

3-4 monthsHow many watermelons per plant? About 2 to 3 melons can be obtained per plant in its single lifespan of 3-4 months. Usually, gardeners purposely keep only one watermelon per plant to harvest big sized fruits.

Where do watermelons grow best?

Florida has historically been the top producer of watermelons and accounted for 19 percent of the 3.9 billion pounds of U.S. watermelon production in 2012. Florida and three other States—Georgia, California, and Texas—accounted for two-thirds of U.S. output in 2012.

Do watermelons require full sun?

Regardless of what variety you grow in your pots, be sure to site the containers in a location where they receive a minimum of 8 hours of full sun per day. Watermelons will not form flowers or fruits if they don't get enough sun. 'Sugar Pot' and 'Bush Sugar Baby' are the best two choices for container growing.

Is growing watermelon hard?

The great news: watermelon is relatively easy to grow! It takes a long season and thrives in hot weather, but give it some space to sprawl, and it's mostly maintenance-free!

How many watermelons do you get per plant?

How many watermelons do you get per plant? You should get between two and four watermelons per plant so it's important to protect your harvest.

How many watermelon seeds do you put in one hole?

General guidelines for common varieties of watermelon are to plant three seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm.) deep in hills that are spaced 4 feet (1 m.)

How deep do watermelon roots grow?

Watermelon roots commonly grow 8 to 10 or more inches deep; the hole and mound become a reservoir of moisture and nutrients.

Can you grow watermelon all year round?

Always In Season, Year-Round Over 30 U.S. states grow watermelon, with harvest starting on the East Coast and rolling westward and north across the country over the course of several months.

Where does watermelon grow in winter?

Most winter watermelons in your local grocery stores and markets come from Africa and Central America. These areas of the world are warm even in the winter. Watermelons are native to Africa. Africa has very long growing seasons that can allow watermelons to be grown all year long.

Do watermelon plants come back every year?

Watermelon plants do not come back every year as they are tender annuals. This means they complete their entire lifecycle in one season and are then killed off by the first frosts.

Can watermelons be grown indoors?

You can plant indoor watermelon seedlings in your home garden once the soil temperature reaches at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange plants in raised mounds along a row (known as “hills”) to direct heat more efficiently, and maintain good drainage.

What type of soil do watermelon grow in?

Watermelons do best in loamy, somewhat-sandy, well-drained soil. They can struggle in soil that contains too much clay and doesn’t drain well.

How long does it take for watermelon to grow?

Days to maturity range from 70 to 90, depending on the variety.

What to do with watermelon before planting?

Amend soil with aged manure, seaweed, and/or compost before planting. Watermelons are heavy feeders, meaning they need soil that is fertile and has a high nutrient level. Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting.

How much space do watermelon need?

Watermelons need A LOT of space—up to 20 square feet per plant. Their vines need room to sprawl, so plant them in a place where they won’t crowd out other crops.

How long after a frost can you plant watermelon seeds?

In warmer climates with long growing seasons, sow seeds directly outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your last frost date, as long as the soil temperature has warmed to at least 70°F (21°C). Warmer soil helps prevent poor germination. Young watermelon plants can also be bought from nurseries. Plant these after there is no longer a chance of frost occurring.

How long can watermelons be stored?

Watermelons can be stored uncut for about 10 days. If cut, they can last in the refrigerator for about 4 days. Wrap tightly in plastic.

How much water do melon plants need?

While melon plants are growing, blooming, and setting fruit, they need 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Keep soil moist, but not waterlogged. Water at the vine’s base in the morning, and try to avoid wetting the leaves and avoid overhead watering. Reduce watering once fruit are growing. Dry weather produces the sweetest melon.

How long does it take for watermelon to grow?

Watermelon plants love the heat, and need a long and warm growing season of at least 70 to 85 days, depending on the variety, to produce sweet fruit. They grow best when daytime temperatures fall between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime temperatures fall between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

What type of soil do watermelon like?

Watermelon grows best in fertile, well-draining, sandy loam soils. Most soils benefit from incorporating a few inches of organic compost before planting, and perhaps some fertilizer as well. Avoid very sandy or clay soils, as they will stunt the growth of watermelon if not handled properly.

What is a watermelon?

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a warm-season frost-tender annual plant that produces large, juicy fruits late in the summer. The fruits may be round or oblong, have pink, red or yellow flesh and solid, marbled or striped skins. For optimum fruit production watermelon requires a long growing season with lots of warmth and sun, ...

Can watermelon grow in a greenhouse?

They can thrive in both humid and semi-arid environments, but may develop fungal foliage diseases in humid areas more frequently than in dry areas. Watermelon plants need an area with full sun to develop completely. Growers in cooler climates, aside from choosing cold-tolerant types of watermelon, can extend their season by providing a greenhouse, cold frame or other shelter at the beginning and end of the season.

How to tell if watermelon is mature?

Watermelons are hand-harvested at full maturity for best taste and texture. Indicators of watermelon fruit maturity include a yellow spot on the fruit surface in contact with soil or plastic mulch; a brown, dried tendril where the fruit stem is joined to the watermelon vine; and a dull surface on top of the fruit. Because individual fruits are pollinated at different times, multiple harvests are usually necessary. After harvest, growers should check watermelons for size, maturity, and pest damage to ensure marketing of a high-quality product. Cooling the watermelons after harvest to 45-50°F will remove field heat and improve shelf life and taste. Watermelons will retain good quality for approximately 21-28 days if stored at 85-90 percent humidity and 47-55°F.

What is the best soil for watermelon?

Watermelons grow best on soils that hold water well and have good air and water infiltration rates. Soil should have a pH of 5.8-6.6. Watermelons are sensitive to cold temperatures, and even a mild frost can severely injure the crop. The best average temperature range for watermelon production during the growing season is between 65°F and 95°F. Temperatures above 95°F or below 50°F will slow the growth and maturation of the crop. Watermelons require a constant supply of moisture during the growing season. However, excess water at any time during crop growth, especially as fruit reaches maturity, can cause the fruit to crack, which will reduce crop yields and fruit quality.

How to pollinate watermelon?

Use a seeded watermelon variety with a distinctly different shape or appearance from the seedless variety that you are growing. Pollinators can be planted in rows using a 2 to 1 ratio with every third and outside row being the seeded variety. The pollinator can also be intermingled in the row with 2-3 to 1 ratio with every third or fourth plant being the pollinator variety. A large honeybee population is essential for pollination and fruit set. One hive per acre is recommended for maximum fruit production. Insecticides applied to flowers or weeds in bloom can adversely affect pollinating insect populations, especially honeybees.

How are fresh watermelons sold?

Fresh-market watermelons usually are sold loose in bulk containers or in 800-pound cardboard bins. When planning production, first consider your ability to market. You should conduct some market research because growers often overestimate their ability to sell in a given market. Production of less than one acre of many vegetable crops is typical for most growers.

How to control watermelon weeds?

Weed control can be achieved with herbicides, plastic mulch, and a good crop-rotation system. Several preplant and postemergence herbicides are available for watermelons, depending on the specific weed problem and the growth stage. If infestation levels are mild, early cultivation (prior to vine running) can help reduce weed problems. Insects are a major problem in watermelon production. Cucumberbeetle, aphids, seed corn maggot, leafminers, and rindworms (cucumber beetle larvae) can all cause crop losses. Monitoring insect populations with traps and scouting will help you determine when to apply pesticides and how often to spray. Several watermelon diseases can cause crop losses, including bacterial fruit blotch, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, downy mildew, and gummy stem blight. Viruses such as cucumber mosaic (CMV), squash mosaic (SqMV), and watermelon mosaic (WMV-1, 2) are also a problem. These diseases can be controlled by using disease-resistant varieties and by having a good crop-rotation system and soils with good air and water infiltration rates.

What family is watermelon?

Articles. Updated: August 8, 2005. Watermelon. Watermelons are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, muskmelons, and gourds. Individual plants produce both male and female flowers, and fruit size varies from 5 to 30 pounds, depending on variety. However, seedless varieties will require pollinators.

What diseases can watermelon cause?

Several watermelon diseases can cause crop losses , including bacterial fruit blotch, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, downy mildew, and gummy stem blight.

What is the best time to grow watermelon?

Watermelons along with muskmelons and cantaloupes are sometimes called summer melons. Grow watermelons in the warmest, frost-free time of the year.

How to grow watermelon in a garden?

Watermelons grow best in loose, well-drained, but moisture-retentive soil rich in organic matter. Add aged compost and aged manure or a commercial organic planting mix to the planting bed before planting. Turn the soil to 12 inches (30cm) deep. Melons prefer a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8.

What diseases can watermelon get?

Watermelon Diseases. Watermelons are susceptible to anthracnose, Alternaria leaf spot, bacterial wilt, and powdery and downy mildew. Planting disease-resistant varieties when they are available and maintaining the general cleanliness and health of your garden will help cut down the incidence of disease.

How to keep watermelon from weeding?

Mulch around watermelons with straw, dry chopped leaves or set down black plastic or garden fabric. Mulch will keep down weeds and conserve soil moisture.

How long can you keep a cut watermelon in the refrigerator?

A cut watermelon will keep in the refrigerator for about 4 days. Wrap the melon tightly in plastic to prevent cold burn or dehydration.

How long does it take for watermelon to germinate?

Watermelon seed will germinate in about 10 days at 65°F (18°C), sooner in warmer soil.

How to encourage watermelon to grow?

Encourage watermelon plants to set three or four fruits at the same time; if a plant sets one fruit early, pinch it out to encourage the plant to develop several fruits at the same time. One fruit off to a head start can suppress all further fruiting on the vine until that fruit matures.

What temperature should watermelon be planted?

Average air temperatures must be between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Only plant watermelons well after the danger of frost has passed. Advertisement.

How big do watermelon vines grow?

Watermelon takes up a lot of space. The vines alone can reach up to 20 feet in length. If you plan on planting multiple watermelons, make sure to have plenty of room. Grow the vines in raised rows, or also known as hills, which will allow for efficient drainage and hold heat from the sun longer.

How long does it take for watermelon to ripen?

Early ripening watermelons grow well in areas with a short warm season or as a second crop in areas with a longer season. Early varieties mature in 70 to 75 days and include Sugar Baby, a sweet red-fleshed watermelon with a green rind, and Golden Crown that has a yellow rind at maturity, and Yellow Baby and Yellow Doll that have yellow flesh. Main season and seedless varieties take 80 to 85 days to reach maturity and include Sangria, Madera, Honey Heart and Tiffany watermelons.

How to get watermelon to grow?

A soaker hose or drip irrigation is the best way to deliver water to watermelon roots; overhead watering may encourage the development of fungal diseases which commonly attack leaves. No water. Stop watering a watermelon about 2 weeks before the fruits are ready to harvest.

How long does it take for a watermelon to grow?

Give watermelons even moisture from planting through fruit set. During the first 3 to 4 weeks of growth a watermelon develops its root system. The root system supplies the growing plant with both moisture and nutrients.

What does a green watermelon say?

Mark Twain observed that a green melon says “pink” or “pank” when thumped with the knuckles. A ripe watermelon says “punk.” “Punk” is best described as a solid dull sound. More tips: How to Harvest and Store Watermelon.

How to keep watermelon from being small?

Feed watermelons with a dilute solution of fish emulsion fertilizer—1 tablespoon per gallon of water—week ly from the time the plant is a seedling until the first female flower appears.

How deep do watermelon roots grow?

Watermelon roots commonly grow 8 to 10 or more inches deep; the hole and mound become a reservoir of moisture and nutrients. More tips: Watermelon Seed Starting Tips. Care. Space watermelons 6 to 12 feet (1.8-3.6 m) apart; don’t let plants compete for soil moisture or nutrients.

How much water does a watermelon take up?

An extensive and strong root system allows the watermelon to take up nearly 95 percent of its weight in water and develop its large cells which are easily seen with the naked eye—these large, water-filled cells give watermelon its crunchy, crisp, yet tender consistency.

How to grow a sweet watermelon?

To grow sweet and tasty watermelon, follow these steps: Temperature. Watermelon demands warm temperatures—both soil and air. Transplant or direct seed watermelon only when the average soil and daytime air temperatures are at least 70°F (21 °C). Do not grow watermelon unprotected where nighttime air temperatures fall below 60°F (16°C).

How long does it take for watermelons to grow?

Then you have watermelons that are smaller in size and weigh anywhere from 2 to 4 pounds. These watermelons take 65 to 70 days after planting and include varieties like Midget, Garden Baby, Golden Midget and Little Baby Flower.

How to grow watermelon from seeds?

If you’re interest in doing this, you’ll need to invest in a biodegradable paper or peat pot that measures out to be about 4-inches or more . Once you have your supplies, simply plant your seeds in the pot, and let them sit out and grow.

How to tell if a watermelon is ripe?

When looking to see if your watermelon is ripe, look for the following features: Your watermelon’s vine has tendrils that will begin to turn a brownish color and die. Look at the stem and see if your see a circular crack around the stem. Feel for soft ends. Listen for a dull sound by thumping it.

How many different types of watermelon are there?

Like mentioned above, there are over 1,200 different kinds of watermelons. Many of these watermelons will have different harvest periods. To get the most out of your watermelon plants, you’ll want to know when the harvest period is for the kind of watermelon you’re planting.

How long does it take for a watermelon to mature in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire Midget, Sugar Baby and Petite Sweet fall under another group of small watermelons. This group usually matures in about 75 to 80 days. This also includes Desert Storm and Royal Majesty watermelons too.

Can watermelon be grown at 50 degrees?

In general, watermelons cannot handle temperature that are below 50 degrees. When the temperatures drop this much, the sweetness in the watermelon will begin to diminish. For people who want to get a little bit of a head start, they can start their watermelon seeds inside their home.

When is watermelon season in Texas?

In Texas, the watermelon season is from June to August. On the other hand, Georgia’s watermelon season starts at the end of July and ends at the beginning of September, and California? Their watermelon season includes all of June, July, August and September. As you can see, the watermelon season for every state occurs during the warmer months, ...

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• Watermelons grow best on soils that hold water well and have good air and water infiltration rates. Soil should have a pH of 5.8-6.6. Watermelons are sensitive to cold temperatures, and even a mild frost can severely injure the crop. The best average temperature range for watermelon production during the growing season is between 65°F and 95°F. Tem...

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