Growing Watermelon

Cucurbitaceae c. lanatus : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                S S S S
T                   T T
                    P P

(Best months for growing Watermelon in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 21°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 60 - 75 cm apart
  • Harvest in 12-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, Sunflowers
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

28 Mar 23, Martin (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Hey how did those watermelons turn out. I'm thinking about growing rhem vertically
09 Mar 22, Trish Deeter (USA - Zone 10b climate)
What are the best seeds to purchase for Zone 10b, Costa Mesa, Southern part of California near the ocean?
03 Apr 23, Karen Hutchison (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I have had good luck with Klondike
07 Feb 22, Laura g Gatt (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi hope you can help me, I live in Sydney. I have huge Vine of watermelon lots of flowers but no fruit very few bees thanks regards Laura
08 Feb 22, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)
Watermelons, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini's all have both male and female flowers on the same vine. For some unexplained reason some plants produce lots of male flowers and few female flowers. The male flowers have a longer spindly stem and the female flowers have an unformed fruit at the base of the flower. If you have female flowers and fruit are not forming it would indicate a lack of pollination by bees or other insects. If you pick some male flowers and remove the petals you can hand pollinate the flowers by putting the male flower, minus the petals, into the female flower to transfer pollen and fertilise the flower. You could use a couple of male flowers with each female flower to ensure that the pollen is ripe. leave a few male flowers on the plant for subsequent flowering. If there are few or no female flowers you can only wait and hope that some appear. Trust this helps.
07 Feb 22, Anonymous of Bundaberg (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read up about hand pollinating. Have to do in the morning before lunch.
06 Jan 22, Jen (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can I grow watermelons in Christchurch or is it too cold
11 Jan 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes look in the planting calendar guide. It is generally a Spring planting crop.
04 Sep 21, Harrison Brown (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I would like to know what type of fertilizers I can use to fertilizer my pigeon peas, corn, and watermelon plants?
07 Sep 21, (USA - Zone 4a climate)
A general garden fertiliser will do.
Showing 51 - 60 of 350 comments

Hi I'M from Australia. I comment on Aust and NZ Gardenate questions. This website tells you when to plant and provides information about growing the crop. If there is not enough info here go onto GOOGLE and search. Check the calendar about when to plant - it is that simple. Or find a plant on the Vegetables and herbs tab. (Find your zone on the Climate zone tab, then make sure that is showing at the top of the plant page to get the correct information for your area)

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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