Growing watermelon in containers from seed to harvest

Watermelons grow rapidly and require plenty of water, so it is recommended that you go with a 5-gallon (19 kg) or larger size container. Make sure that the container you will be growing watermelons in has enough drainage holes. Fill the watermelon container with potting soil or other soilless mix.

How long do watermelons take to grow from seed?
What month do you harvest watermelons?
Can you plant watermelon seeds straight from the fruit?
How many watermelons do you get per plant?
Should you soak watermelon seeds before planting?
How do watermelons grow for beginners?
Do watermelons come back every year?
How do you know when watermelons are ready to pick?
Do watermelons need a lot of sun?
How much space do watermelon plants need?
Where do watermelons grow best?
How do you increase watermelon fruit size?

How long do watermelons take to grow from seed?

Watermelons need a long growing season (at least 80 days) and warm ground for seeds to germinate and grow. Soil should be 70 degrees F or warmer at planting time. Sow seeds 1 inch deep and keep well watered until germination.

What month do you harvest watermelons?

Watermelons will be ready for harvest 65 to 90 days after sowing depending on the variety. When watermelons are ready to harvest vine tendrils will begin to turn brown and die off. If the tendrils are green the melon is not ripe. A ripe watermelon will make a dull hollow sound when thumped.

Can you plant watermelon seeds straight from the fruit?

If you're up for a challenge, or just curious, and decide to use seeds from a store-bought watermelon (or are using seeds from an open pollinated heirloom watermelon), you'll need to dry the seeds before you plant them. ... Once they're dry, you can plant them!

How many watermelons do you get per plant?

Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. The vines produce both male and female flowers. Both are needed to set fruit and there are fewer female flowers compared to male, about one female for every seven males.

Should you soak watermelon seeds before planting?

Many types of plant seeds benefit from pre-planting soaking to soften the outer seed coating and hasten germination. However, watermelons are an exception to the rule. Soaking the seeds before planting increases the risks of various fungal diseases, such as anthracnose caused by the Colletotrichum lagenarium fungus.

How do watermelons grow for beginners?

Watermelon seeds should not be planted in the garden until the soil temperature reaches at least 65 degrees F. Plant six to eight seeds about 1 inch deep in each mound. Space seeds at least 2 feet apart in mounds that are at least 5 to 6 feet wide by 4 to 6 inches high. This allows ample room for vines to grow.

Do watermelons come back every year?

Planting a few watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) vines in your garden lets you grow your own desserts or sweet snacks. This member of the Cucurbitaceae family is related to squash and pumpkins. As a tender annual, watermelon vines will not last through winter conditions and will require re-planting each spring.

How do you know when watermelons are ready to pick?

Answer: Harvest watermelons when the underside or belly of the fruit turns from a greenish white to buttery yellow or cream. This color change is especially pronounced on the dark green skinned varieties. In addition, the fruit tends to lose its slick appearance on top and becomes dull when ripe.

Do watermelons need a lot of sun?

How much sun do watermelons need? Since watermelons are originally native to Africa, they require hot and sunny conditions to do well. All vegetables love sunlight – 6 to 8 hours a day is what you should strive to give them. Watermelons really love sunlight and will grow best with this much sunlight and more.

How much space do watermelon plants need?

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 (1.2 m.) apart, and allowing 6 feet (1.8 m.) between rows.

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.

How do you increase watermelon fruit size?

To maximize the size of the melons, water the plants at the base in regular, deep-watering sessions that keep the soil moist. Side dress the watermelon plants with fertilizer designed for edible crops or compost tea to feed the plants. The fertilizer encourages growth to get larger melons.