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

06 Feb 19, Cherry (New Zealand - temperate climate)
If you pick a watermelon early and its greenish, is there any way to ripen it up without throwing out to the chickens
06 Feb 19, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Read up about when to pick them.
07 Mar 19, Lea (New Zealand - temperate climate)
am in north canterbury, growing watermelon in glasshouse, didnt have success outdoors, but one in glasshouse has 5 melons of different sizes on it so hopeful , one getting quite large
10 Nov 19, Krystal (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Lea, I’m in Rangiora. I’ve got some beautiful watermelon seedlings growing. So glad I’ve come across your post as I was going to plant outdoors. How did your watermelon end up going in the glasshouse? Will you grow again?
16 Mar 19, alastair (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I am going to try growing them in a glasshouse with heated soil . Are there any varieties more suited to this approach?
15 Dec 19, Puiti (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can I grow watermelon in Te Kuiti?
17 Dec 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You should be able to grow watermelon, if you start them early in pots or trays undercover. Have a look here www.gardenate.com/plant/Watermelon
26 Dec 19, Phoebe (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have a watermelon growing and setting teeny baby fruit but they all wither and drop off within a week of setting. Any ideas?
30 Dec 19, anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Sounds like you have no bees to pollinate the female flower. Do it by hand. (With a soft artist's brush or use a male flower)
11 Mar 20, Sandra (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Help, I planted some watermelon seeds and they have grown so well. Sadly there 13 plants that are so close together in the same pot, I now to worried if I move and replant them they will die. What should I do!
Showing 21 - 30 of 44 comments

I have a watermelon growing and setting teeny baby fruit but they all wither and drop off within a week of setting. Any ideas?

- Phoebe

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