What's the easiest way to grow watermelon for beginners?
Written by
Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.To grow watermelon that's comparable to what you buy in the store begins with a thoughtful choice of varieties. One of the small varieties of watermelon, Sugar Baby, matures in 75 days, making it a good choice for our short summers. I have successfully grown these in Michigan, with its unpredictable weather, by using black plastic mulch to trap heat, which augmented growth for more than 2 weeks.
Testing & Amendments
- Test soil pH 6-8 weeks before planting (ideal: 6.0-6.8)
- Mix 3 inches of compost into top 12 inches of soil
- Add gypsum if calcium levels fall below 1200 ppm
Planting Layouts
- Hills: 3 plants per 4-foot diameter mound
- Rows: 5-6 feet between rows for airflow
- Vertical: 18-inch trellis spacing saves 60% space
Pollination is crucial for the success of your harvest. Female blossoms are indicated by swollen bases. If you do not see bees or wasps, you can collect pollen from male blooms and manually pollinate them in the morning after sunrise. I had a 40% increase in yield in 2022 after I started pollinating the female flowers by hand on cool mornings (under 75°F/24°C).
To avoid fruit splitting, ensure to water to the bottom and less frequently,1-2 inches a week. If you're watering with a drip line, you're able to avoid wetting the leaves, which increases the chances for powdery mildew. Storms last July split twelve melons.I also measure soil moisture with a meter and stop watering at 60% saturation.
Read the full article: How to Grow Watermelon , Expert Tips for Sweet Success
