How to Grow Watermelons

Watermelons grown in a home garden promise to be a sweet, thirst-quenching treat at harvest time. Typically, the best way to grow watermelons is indoors. The plants are then transplanted into an outdoor garden area after the last frost date has passed. Watermelons are a good source of vitamin C. In China, the rinds of the fruit are pickled and used in stews and stir-fry recipes. Watermelon plants need a lot of space to grow. Plants grow up to 2 feet in height and can spread up to 20 feet.

Steps to Grow Watermelons

What You Need

Peat pots

Seed starter soil mix

Watermelon seeds

10–10-10 fertilizer

Straw mulch

Step 1

Fill your peat pots with seed starter soil mix. Plant 1 watermelon seed at a depth of 1/4 inch in each pot.

Step 2

Water your watermelon plants each morning so that the soil stays moist. Begin transplanting seedlings once they have 3 mature leaves. Wait to transplant seedlings until 2 weeks after the last frost.

Step 3

Prepare soil to a depth of 6 inches. Add 4 inches of compost to the soil. Add 10–10-10 fertilizer at a rate of 4 cups per 100 square feet of garden area.

Step 4

Transplant each plant by digging a hole deep enough for the peat pot. Place the peat pot in the hole, cover it with soil and pat the soil around the base of the seedling. Space each seedling 2 feet apart in rows 6 feet apart.

Step 5

Add straw mulch around your watermelon plants to help increase moisture.

Steps 6

Water your plants in the morning to a depth of 6 inches. Allow the soil to dry between each watering. Reduce water once fruits are the size of tennis ball by only watering when leaves begin to wilt and the soil dries. Stop watering your plants when the fruits begin to ripen to increase the flavor.