They generally ripen over a two-week period,so keep your eye onthem. Amend soil with aged manure, seaweed,and/orcompost before planting. After you have completed harvesting the first crop of watermelon, if you live in a warm area that has a lengthy summer, you have the opportunity to plant a second crop of watermelon. Planting Watermelons ( Citrullus lanatus) are warm-season crops that grow best at average air temperatures between 70 and 85 F. This is done in order to lessen the likelihood of decay and sickness. The best time to plant watermelon seeds is from late spring to early summer, or when the soil temperature reaches 70 degrees or above. So, if you are in Alabama planting zone 7a, any plant rated 1 through 7a will likely be fine growing there. Swiss Chard. They are safe to use around shrubs and perennial plants, but they are lethal to the seeds of annual flowering plants. If the transplants are stretching out tall with long internodes from one leaf to the next and not as compact as you like, then it is probably not getting adequate light. Sow 6-8 seeds per hill, later thinning to 3-4 plants per hill. Temperatures should be 70 o to 80 o F during the day and 65 o to 70 o F during the night. How many melons should I leave on each vine? This is a lot of space but watermelons need plenty of soil nutrients and plenty of space to grow, so dont overcrowd them. This content printed from the website located at. Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. Please let us know if you have accessibility needs. Watermelon planting dates range from December 15 to April 15, depending on the variety planted and the growing region. Use biosensitive insecticides as your first choice to treat for insect problems in the garden. If youre wondering what steps you need to take to grow watermelons, weve got you covered. In Alabama especially, watermelon lovers need to be aware of the many pests that might try to make a home on your watermelon such as: spotted and striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs and aphids. At "John T Lyo" you can pick: Blueberries. Weed Control. Sow watermelon seeds -inch deep. What month do you plant watermelon? Thin the fruit to three melons per vine, as this will result in more nutrients (and thus sugars) pumped into each melon. Everyone seems to love juicy watermelon in the summertime. Work it into the soil in the late fall. Possibly ok, but a risky time to plant watermelon. Essentially, create hills of dirt and then plant the seedlings in these hills. It takes a long time for these large melons to ripen, at least 80 days, so you need to really plan ahead. The levels of moisture, sunshine, and heat in the environment all have a significant role in determining success. Space your mounds to give your plants enough room to spread and grow. Dont bother to plant before the soil and air temperatures have warmed up above this point in spring or early summer because the seeds and plants simply wont grow. The trick is to wait until the really hot weather has passed, but not wait too long or the plants won't have time to mature before the cold and dark of midwinter. Unfortunately, no matter how hard you try, watermelon will not grow in a polar climate. Do watermelons need full sun? It is absolutely necessary to have a steady supply of water in order to cultivate enormous watermelons with a rich flavor; for the best results, use a soaker hose or drip irrigation. Plant seeds in rows at least 3 feet (1 m.) apart, as growing collard greens get large and need room to grow. It is very common for plants in the same family to share diseases, making it very important to rotate crops. It has worked for 50 plus years. 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Some watermelon varieties offer resistance or tolerance to certain diseases including fusarium wilt race 1, anthracnose, and powdery mildew. Planting seeds for a watermelon crop during a time of year when the soil is too cold might result in a low germination rate for the seeds. Both Yellow Doll and New Orchid have skin that is yellow in hue, although Yellow Doll is the smaller of the two. Is it too late to plant a garden in Alabama? Straw or even cardboard can serve as effective ground barriers. Steer clear of fertilizers that double as weed killers and plant food. Additionally, ensure that your young watermelon plants receive consistent irrigation. Watermelons do best in loamy, somewhat-sandy, well-drained soil. Hardening Off: 7 to 10 days before transplanting. Before using a weed control product, get full information on how to use it and what crop it should be used on. Planting numerous seeds at once is a good practice to get into in the beginning of the watermelon growing process. Lime and Fertilizer. Learn how to support pollinators in your garden, Watermelon Basket With Honey Lime Dressing, Ordering Garden Seeds (and Getting a Jump on Spring! Sign up for special offers, how-to guides, and seasonal information! Cucumbers. Plant the seeds of the watermelon in a potting mix that does not include any dirt. 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The female flowers (which have a swollen bulb at the base) will stay on the vine and bearfruit. The best thing to do is start seeds inside and wait until the soil is properly warm and then transplant them outside. Potatoes. It is best to avoid getting the leaves moist. Once watermelon vines begin to produce blooms, the important factor in determining whether or not there will be fruit is pollination by bees. It takes about 70 to 90 days for the plants to mature. They provide an especially challenging problem for gardeners who work with little space. Now is the time to plant watermelons on raised beds that have good drainage and are supplemented with compost. Alabama is in 7, 8 and 9 USDA plant hardiness zones. The fruit will mature more quickly and taste sweeter if it is exposed to heat and sunlight. Use a 33-0-0 fertilizer at the rate of pound (227 g.) per every 50 feet (15 m.) of the watermelon row. Row coverings will protect the plants from the numerous insect pests that are drawn to watermelons. The Alabama These planting dates are for Central Alabama. I grew up in the fifties.. Have only had a few watermelons over the years since seedless that actually tasted good.. Want to grow my own next year. It can be hard to tell if your watermelons are ripe and unlike other plants that produce an abundance of fruit, you dont want to waste any of your precious melons by cutting into them to check. Plant four to five seeds at a depth of approximately one inch in the center of the hill. Light. Space plants about 2 feet apart in a 5-foot-wide hill. The ideal growing conditions for melons include soils that are sandy loam, drain well, and have a pH of between 6.0 and 6.5. It is important to us that we deliver seasonally fresh plants to your area. Tomatoes. Whats in a name? While you might be tempted to turn the sprinkler on, too much water can waterlog the leaves, leading to rot. Pruning generallyisnt necessary for watermelon plants, but vine productivity may be improved if you do not allow lateral (side) vines to grow and stick to the main vine. Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. (May take big hands and fingers for true results). Use all chemicalsfor insects, weeds, or nematodesaccording to directions on the label. There must be 6 seeds in each hill. Plant the pieces about 3 inches deep, 10 to 12 inches apart, in rows about 36 inches apart. And now is the ideal time for a fall planting. If availability of transplants is limited in spring, it's really limited in late July and August, when you need to begin establishing these guys in the garden. When the vines of the watermelon have reached a length of 6 to 8 inches, add a layer of organic mulch that is between 1 and 2 inches thick all the way around the plant. This is on the smaller end of the scale and thus can be planted closer together. Watermelons require full sunlight in order to thrive. The seedlings need to be kept warm and wet until the external temperatures remain regularly above 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. How Many Watermelons Does a Plant Produce? If direct seeding,seeds should be sown after the last frosts and when the soil has warmed to at least 18.4C (65F). 10 Easiest Vegetables to Grow Yourself Peas. Probably not a good time to plant watermelon. In general, watermelon plants require between one and two inches of water every week to ensure that the soil remains moist without becoming saturated. *Days to maturity are from planting seed or setting transplants in the garden. When to Plant. Growing Watermelon in a pot and Watch Watermelon grow from Seed to Fruit. Don't Crowd Your Melons. Potatoes. Plant some seeds in the backyard garden. The biggest consideration with a dry climate is that watermelons need plenty of water. Cantaloupes are vining plants and need room to spread, but they can also . Not so common now. If its green, wait. The last month that you can plant watermelon and expect a good . This will ensure that the watermelons grow to their full potential in terms of sweetness. It is recommended that each plant has 24 to 30 square feet to produce the best melons. The earliest that you can plant watermelon in Huntsville is April . Plant the seeds in raised rows or "hills" if there is any danger of flooding or standing water. It works with this thump test even in the market. Zone 7 Planting Schedule Zone 8 Planting Schedule Zone 9 Planting Schedule Production in Alabama Watermelon production is divided between the southern and northern portions of the state. Plant these after there is no longer a chance of frost occurring; they are very tender. Dig a shovel deep hole. Space plants 24-36 inches apart if left to sprawl on the ground. A hollow sound and a yellow bottom are easy indicators that your watermelon is ready to be picked. oval watermelon averages 2-3 fruits per plant. I thump with 2nd or long finger). 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