Watermelon Seed Starting Tips

Soil should be 70 degrees F or warmer at planting time. Sow seeds 1 inch deep and keep well watered until germination. To get a jumpstart in cooler climates, cover the planting area with black plastic to warm up the soil and start seeds indoors two or three weeks before they are to be set out in the garden.

1. Should I soak watermelon seeds before planting?
2. How do you start watermelon seeds?
3. What's the best fertilizer for watermelons?
4. Do you germinate watermelon seeds?
5. Do watermelons like wet soil?
6. How many watermelons do you get per plant?
7. Do watermelons need full sun?
8. How long do melon seeds take to germinate?
9. Which seeds should be soaked before planting?
10. How much space do watermelon plants need?

Should I 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 you start watermelon seeds?

Start watermelon seed indoors 8 to 6 weeks before transplanting seedlings to the garden; set out transplants 2 or more weeks after the last frost in spring. Sow seed indoors in peat pots filled with seed starting mix. The indoor temperature should be between 80-90°F (27-32°C) until germination.

What's the best fertilizer for watermelons?

Once flowering begins, use a fertilizer with less nitrogen and more phosphorus and potassium, such as African violet food or liquid seaweed. Some believe that pinching off a vine's growing shoots as watermelons start to ripen will cause the plant to divert all its energies to fruit ripening.

Do you germinate watermelon seeds?

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. ... Don't start seeds any earlier, because large watermelon seedlings transplant poorly.

Do watermelons like wet soil?

Watermelon develops a much more robust root system under drier conditions when the roots are forced to explore water deep in the soil. With constantly wet soil, roots lose the capability to grow deep.

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.

Do watermelons need full sun?

Watermelon Care

Watermelons require full sunlight in order to thrive. The plants can tolerate some partial shade, particularly in hotter climates, but plenty of sun is necessary to develop the sugars in the melons.

How long do melon seeds take to germinate?

Seeds germinate in 4 to 10 days at 80°F (27°C) or warmer. Transplant melons into the garden after the soil has warmed to at least 70°F (21°C) for optimal performance. Space plants in the garden 24 to 36 inches (60-90 cm) apart in all directions.

Which seeds should be soaked before planting?

In the vegetable garden, this means peas, beans, corn, pumpkins and squash; even chard and beets. Smaller seeds — lettuce, radishes, carrots, and the like — are hard to handle once their soaked and don't really need it anyway. Flower seed to soak? Sunflower, lupine, sweet pea, nasturtium take well to soaking.

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.