Types Of Watermelon
Before learning how to grow watermelons, understand the many types of watermelons, to help you care for your watermelons. Each type has its own set of features. Here are three popular varieties you can consider.
Type 1: Watermelon Baby Sugar
This watermelon type is the best choice for those with limited gardening space due to its small size. Known for its delightful sweetness, this type is both easy to manage and enjoyable to eat.
Type 2: Honey Golden Watermelon
The honey golden watermelon stands out with its golden flesh and a distinctly sweet, honey-like flavor. It is appealing to those who enjoy a twist on the traditional red watermelon.
Type 3: Grey Charleston Watermelon
The grey Charleston watermelon is known for its robust size and tough gray-green rind and is a larger variety requiring more garden space. This type provides a classic watermelon flavor and produces plenty of fruit.
Things to Consider Before Growing Watermelon:
Choosing the best type of watermelon to grow depends on a few important factors:
Choice Depending on Space:
Baby Sugar is a great choice if your garden space is limited. Since it is a smaller variety of watermelon, it does not need as much room to spread out. If you are working with a smaller patch or even a larger container, Baby Sugar can fit well without crowding your space.
If you have a lot of room, Gray Charleston is the way to go. This larger variety needs more space to flourish because it spreads out a lot. If you have a big garden and want to grow a traditional, big watermelon, this is the one for you.
Soil:
All varieties of watermelon require soil that drains well so that water doesn’t sit and cause the roots to rot. The soil should be rich and should have a good mix of nutrients to feed the plants as they grow.
You can make your soil richer by adding compost or old manure, which will also help the soil retain the right amount of moisture. Before planting your watermelon seeds, work the soil to ensure it’s not too hard or clumpy. This makes it easier for the young roots to spread out and take hold.
Climate:
Watermelons love warmth and need a good stretch of sunny, hot weather to grow properly. They thrive in temperatures between 70°F and 90°F. If you live in a place that has cool or very short summers, you can start the seeds indoors in pots about 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost. This way, your plants get a head start and you can move them outside when the weather is consistently warm enough.
Make sure they are in a spot in your garden where they will get full sunlight for most of the day. If they don’t get enough heat and sun, they might not grow as big or taste as sweet as they should.
How to Grow Watermelon: Step-by-step Guide
Here are the steps on how to grow watermelon in your backyard.
Ways to Care for Watermelon
Light
Watermelons love sunlight. Aim for full sun exposure to encourage healthy growth.
Soil
Watermelons prefer a sandy and well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.
Water
Keep them moist with deep watering sessions so that the soil is moist but not waterlogged, especially during fruit set.
Fertilizer
Feed your plants with a balanced fertilizer and side-dress with a high-potassium fertilizer during the fruiting season.
Pollination
Pollinators like bees are vital for flowering and fruit development, so consider planting bee-attracting flowers nearby.
Harvesting of Watermelon
You can find out if the watermelon is ripe when you see the yellow belly, the part of the melon sitting on the ground, turn a creamy yellow. Check the rind too which should be hard.
Saving The Watermelon Seeds
For saving the seeds, let one or two fruits fully mature on the plant then save the seeds by washing and drying them.
Pruning
Though it is an option, pruning can help focus energy on fruit production. Trim back some of the sprawling vines if needed.
Common Pest and Plant Diseases
While growing watermelons, just like with other plants, you might run into pests like aphids and cucumber beetles and plant diseases like powdery mildew might occur. Here are a few tips to keep these disturbances at bay:
Check Your Plants Often
The sooner you find pests or diseases, the easier they are to deal with. Check your plant every few days and address these problems immediately.
Keep Your Garden Clean
Remove any dead leaves or plants. They can be a home for pests and diseases.
Healthy Soil
Using compost not only feeds your plants but can also help them fight diseases. Healthy plants are better able to handle pests and diseases.
FAQs
1. What is the best way to water my watermelons?
Drip irrigation or soaking the soil directly while avoiding wetting leaves is best to prevent diseases.
2. Can I train watermelon vines on a trellis?
Yes, especially the smaller varieties, but you must support the growing fruits with slings.