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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
23 Sep 19, jamie clodial (Australia - tropical climate)
what are the harvesting conditions to grow watermelon
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Are you growing them or harvesting them?
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Sep 19, Midda (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Afternoon, please i need advice about the watermelon, how to produce the sweetest watermelon. At what time of the year. Thank you
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Nov 19, anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Read the information here about growing them. Asking how to produce the sweetest WM is an impossible question. It is like asking which is the sweetest in a bin of 50 of them.
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Jul 19, Khathutshelo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
How many watermelons can I keep per plant and still retain good size and quality?
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Jun 19, Mike (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Is 8th July fine for planting in Bochum?
Reply or Post a new comment
04 May 19, Patrck (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am in Limpopp can I plant watermelom in May lts hot during the day and cold during the night
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Jun 19, sello (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
no , try it in mid august , im from gauteng , we have almost the same weather pattern.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Apr 19, bella (Australia - temperate climate)
it doesn't have any sowing depth or distance or the proper months to plant
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Apr 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Look up individual plants e.g. /www.gardenate.com/plant/Watermelon?zone=2 for information on planting etc.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 131 - 140 of 355 comments
See comments for all plants

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Watermelon

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.