Can watermelon vines grow vertically?
Written by
Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Vertical watermelon work, is a great way to transform small gardening spaces into productive areas. I have a trellis of ‘Sugar Baby' vines trained up a cattle panel to grow 15-pound melons taking up only 12 square feet! Everyone wonders how I can grow watermelon vertically. The answer is strong supports and fabric slings to hold the fruit as it enlarges. Watermelon can't be grown as effectively on the ground.
Trellis Setup
- Use 16-gauge cattle panels arched at 60° angles
- Anchor panels 18 inches deep to withstand 50+ lb loads
- Space vines 2 feet apart along the trellis base
Fruit Support
- Install stretchy fabric slings when fruits reach softball size
- Check slings weekly and adjust as melons gain 1-2 lbs daily
- Rotate fruits gently to prevent flat sides
Consider compact varieties for vertical success. Both 'Golden Midget' and 'Bush Sugar Baby' are superior to sprawling types. Their 6-foot vines work well on trellises or any structure. In my 2023 trial, I found an astonishing 90% reduction in powdery mildew from vertical systems versus traditional rows, from improved air circulation.
Carefully hand-pollinate those trellised vines. The morning dew will soften pollen, so transfer the pollen from male to female blooms using a paintbrush. I've doubled fruit production this way! Ground-grown plants benefit from bees; however, plants in vertical gardens often confuse pollinators as they are surrounded by foliage.
Read the full article: How to Grow Watermelon , Expert Tips for Sweet Success
