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

22 Apr 20, Lisa (Australia - temperate climate)
My daughter (7) planted her watermelons seeds several weeks ago and has been watering and tending to them ever since. Today, we noticed a little sprout- very surprising I have to say! Will this melon grow? If so, how long till we see a melon? We live in South West of western Australia
22 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Wrong time of the year to plant really, try spring time later this year. Some flowers will just be a flower (male), some will have a small melon on them(female). If the female flower is pollinated then the melon will grow, if not it will die. You can pollinate by hand. Read on the internet how to do it. Melons take about 3-4 weeks to grow and then 3-4 weeks to mature.
16 Apr 20, Ms Wanderful (USA - Zone 9a climate)
What are the best melons to plant in zone 9a & 9b? And when in the season. Can I plant a melon in a container?
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!
11 Mar 20, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Take the time to read how to grow things, like how far between plants, between rows, then plant seeds/seedlings accordingly. There is a reason for that, it gives the plant enough soil area to draw the nutrients to grow. The best time to transplant is when the plant is at about the 4-6 new leaf stage or in some cases about 4-6 weeks after germination. The longer you leave it the bigger the transplant shock or death. You be the judge.
01 Mar 20, Kerrie (Australia - tropical climate)
A few weeks ago I harvested the last of my watermelon. I lost a few due to the rain and too much water. I live in the coastal area of Brisbane. A few plants have self seeded, is it too late for them to bare fruit ?
02 Mar 20, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My first time growing them this time of year. Mine are just starting to send runners out and I feel I maybe a bit late. The farmers around here (Bundy) planted out seedlings about a month - 6 weeks ago. You could try, depends on what the late Autumn early Winter is like, warm or cool.
24 Feb 20, Juliet (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Can it get too hot for watermelon plant to survive Tauranga NZ, weather gowing over concrete pavers and river stones ?
25 Feb 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Growing them over concrete or river stone could do damage to the vines if it is very hot.
14 Jan 20, Dale gibson (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi there ,I planted my watermelon seed in early November and surprisingly they germinated within 2 to 3 weeks ,..6 weeks on an the growth is very slow...it is mid January 2020 I live tolaga bay east coast nz ...weather climate is warm and hopefully will continue threw to march ...have I left it to late.. let me no. regards
Showing 101 - 110 of 355 comments

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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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