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 70°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 24 - 30 inches apart
  • Harvest in 12-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweetcorn, Sunflowers
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

17 Sep 18, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Plant earlier. If no fruit developing when it starts flowering check for bees. Should have fruit developing by 10-12 weeks. Hand pollinate if no bees.
08 May 18, Andrea (New Zealand - temperate climate)
It's frustrating, because the growth is promising, but it won't ripen any fruit that form in the cold weather. Rip it out and start again in spring : )
04 Apr 18, Sandy saunders (Australia - tropical climate)
Bought watermelon in bunbury recently will these plant still grow in bunbury climate
14 Apr 18, (Canada - Zone 3b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I wanted to start greenhouse & I am following www.agricultureguruji.com blog for greenhouse please help me which crop suitable for me in greenhouse
05 Apr 18, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Give it a go. Probably too late now. Plant next Sept/Oct.
12 Mar 18, DANIEL Etheridge (USA - Zone 8b climate)
when should i plant watermelon in zone 8b apple valley California 92308
09 Mar 18, Justin .C (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted 2 watermelons in early summer & they produced 3 good sized fruits, 2 are still on the vine & now the vine is sending out lots of runners with numerous fruits which I have pollinated, it's now early Autumn. Will these fruits mature or does the vine die off once the cooler weather starts?
11 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Let them grow they probably will produce fruit but probably not as good as the first 3. Yes the plants will die back some time.
18 Feb 18, Lynn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have tomatoes growing with a watermelon vine. The watermelon is doing well, but the tomatoes’ leaves are growing distorted. Does anyone know about interplanting these two crops? Should I pull the tomatoes out?
20 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Tomato yellow leaf curl virus went through southern Qld back in 2009 or so. It has probably spread far wider by now. The leaf is like your hand with the fingers still curled in. The leaf doesn't open out and grow. The plant becomes stunted. Caused by the silver winged fly. Look it up on the internet. It can be stopped with a soap spray. If no success pull it out and put in rubbish bin. It wiped out the tomato growing industry in Bundaberg.
Showing 171 - 180 of 350 comments

Has anyone growen watermelons in Wellington?

- Toni

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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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