SKU

AVWTMSED16

How to plant Watermelon

Sow seeds ½ to 1 inch deep outdoors or ¼ to ½ inch deep in seed-starting pots indoors. Tip: To allow for greater root growth, use larger pots than you would for most seeds. Also consider using compostable pots that can be cut away or planted directly in the garden, as this will minimize the risk of damaging seedling roots during transplanting. If direct seeding outdoors, sow 4 to 6 seeds per hill, eventually thinning to 2 to 3 seedlings.

Care

Mulching with black plastic around the plants will serve multiple purposes: it will warm the soil, hinder weed growth, and keep developing fruits off the soil. Pruning generally isn’t necessary for watermelon plants, but vine productivity may be improved if you do not allow lateral (side) vines to grow and stick to the main vine. When the plant is young, just cut off the end buds as they form (before the side shoots become vines). You can also pinch off some blossoms to focus the energy on fewer melons (though it’s a challenge to kill off a potential fruit).

Pests/Diseases

Downy mildew. Powdery mildew. Anthracnose. Alternaria leaf spot. Fusarium wilt. Bud necrosis disease. Cucumber mosaic disease.