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

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09 Aug 21, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The guide here says plant Mar April and you want to plant mid July. You will reduce your chances of producing good watermelons by planting out of the recommended guide. Yes it is only a guide here and your local weather pattern will have a big bearing on what kind of melon you produce. General rule of thumb is you plant early spring and then pick early summer for the best melons where I live - Queensland Australia. Read up or watch videos about growing and when to pick melons. It is weeks between the melon forming and being ready to pick.
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09 Aug 21, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
It will take approximately 12-17 weeks
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02 Aug 21, Thembisile (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy watermelon seeds? I'm in Swaziland. Thanks
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01 Mar 24, Gagu (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
You can buy seeds at SAS in Manzini,Nami ngiwatsenge khona
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03 Nov 23, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Try www.livingseeds.co.za
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19 Aug 21, Dipolelo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I kept few seeds from a watermelon I enjoyed in January. I'm going to plant them next month. I'm so looking forward. I'm in GP.
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06 Aug 21, Anon (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
try an agricultural shop.
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20 Jun 21, NSyed (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Is July too late to plant or transplant? Or should I wait for August. Wanted to get a plant or seeds as a late Father's day gift but thought I should ask. It can always get a birthday present in August
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23 Jun 21, (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Probably too late.
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02 Jun 21, Val Tanguilig (Australia - tropical climate)
What varieties of water melons are best for winter growing at Carnarvon area, Western Australia? Thanks heaps!
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Showing 71 - 80 of 355 comments
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Water melons must have been invented for rank amateurs. I live in Coconut Grove, Darwin, NT and have zero gardening experience, but decided to plant some water melon seeds (in pots) at the end of October - build up time to our summer wet season. They germinated fast so out into the garden they went with a lot less ground preparation than there could have been. They grew, started producing flowers (male only for quite some time) so I kept watering them with the odd bit of general purpose soluble plant food. I haven't seen any diseases so they haven't been sprayed - apart from the termite man's overspray with he did my house's annual ant and spider treatment. Then, in early December, growth went up a few notches; I could see how far a vine had grown in a day. They started taking over the garden. Flowers appeared everywhere, as did tiny native bees to attend to pollination. Every few days a small watermelon appeared and quickly got bigger. At that point I sought some advice from a local garden shop on what I should be doing; they told me to keep watering and sold me some organic fertilizer pellets to feed them with. Now they've taken over the garden, have started climbing fences and keep on producing new melons. I'd never have imagined it could be that easy.

- Grahame B

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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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