Can I grow watermelon in containers?
Written by
Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Container-grown watermelon means you can enjoy home-grown sweetness even without a large garden space. Using compact varieties, such as "Bush Sugar Baby," will grow well in pots as small as 10 gallons; I once harvested an 8-pound melon from my apartment balcony. Success is based on copying the proper conditions for soil, potting, and care.
Pot Requirements
- 15-gallon containers minimum for root space
- Drill 6+ drainage holes to prevent waterlogging
- Use 70% potting soil + 25% compost + 5% perlite mix
Daily Care
- Water daily in heat above 85°F (29°C)
- Feed weekly with 3-5-4 liquid fertilizer during fruiting
- Hand-pollinate flowers at dawn for 90% fruit set
Utilizing vertical training techniques allows you to optimize scarce space. Install a trellis at 5 feet high when the vine is 12 inches long. I employ nylon netting slings to support the fruit, preventing stem breakage and providing exposure to the sun from 360 degrees around the fruit. This doubled my yields in comparison to growing fruit in containers on the ground.
Defeat container pollination hazards using a tiny paintbrush to carefully swipe pollen between flowers daily, during morning hours. My 2023 balcony crop managed to set 12 melons continuously using this technique; triple the harvest of bee-dependent plants. Be sure to rotate your pots- at least weekly to allow all sides equal sunlight exposure throughout the summer.
Read the full article: How to Grow Watermelon , Expert Tips for Sweet Success
