Growing Watermelon

(Best months for growing Watermelon in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

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

26 Nov 17, Jilly (New Zealand - temperate climate): I would.like to know why lately a lot of supermarket watermelons are rubbery and soft in texture?? ..ugly to eat..not lovely and crisp
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16 Jan 17, (New Zealand - temperate climate): Can anyone give details of how to prune runners/vines of watermelons to achieve better fruit in Canterbury? I was told quite a few years ago that this is a good method in colder climates to encourage better fruit and good ripening.
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20 Jan 17, John (Australia - temperate climate): Probably the best thing to do is to buy heritage seeds that have been listed as originating in short season climates like Canada and the northern USA. They have a much shorter growing season. The other alternative is to wait until 2 or maybe 3 melons have formed and then cut all subsequent runners off to give the plant the most to put into those 2 or 3 melons. Trust this helps.
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09 Jul 10, Natalie (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): If the melon is a non hybrid I don't think you would have any problems. I would buy a melon from an organic grocer, would then hopefully be not a hybrid. Dry the seeds out before planting. Plant where you want it to grow. And cross fingers. Would love to hear if you have any success. I have grown melons from seeds - they just seem to pop up out of the compost. So don't see why it wouldn't work, but you never know.
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