Melons

Melon Growing Information

The watermelon is a tender, warm-weather annual. Watermelons along with muskmelons and cantaloupes (Rockmelon) are sometimes called summer melons. Grow watermelons in the warmest, frost-free time of the year.

Sow watermelon seed in the garden or set out transplants 3 to 4 weeks after the last average frost date in spring. Start watermelon seed indoors about 6 weeks before transplanting seedlings into the garden. Transplant from pot to garden without disturbing the roots. Watermelons require 65 to 90 frost-free days to reach harvest.

Where to plant:

• Plant watermelons in full sun.
• Watermelons grow best in loose, well-drained, but moisture-retentive soil rich in organic matter.
• Add aged compost and aged manure or a commercial organic planting mix to the planting bed before planting.
• Melons prefer a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
• Plant watermelons on hills or mounds or on raised rows. Solar heat hitting the soil on a mound or raised row will keep plants and roots warm.
• If planting in ground-level beds, warm the soil in advance of planting by laying black plastic sheeting on the bed two weeks before planting.
• Sow watermelon seed in the garden or set out transplants 2 to 3 weeks after the last average frost date in spring.
• Garden soil temperature should be at least 21°C at planting time. Pre-warm the soil by placing black plastic sheeting over the planting bed for two weeks prior to planting.
• Watermelon seed will germinate in about 10 days at 18°C, sooner in warmer soil.
• Watermelons grow best in air temperatures ranging from 21-32°C.
• Avoid growing watermelon where night temperatures dip below 10°C; this will cause the fruit to lose flavour.
• If temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C).
  • for several days, flowers will drop without setting fruit.
• Watermelons require 65 to 90 frost-free days to reach harvest depending on the variety.
• Watermelons will tolerate no frost. In cool or short-season regions, grow smaller varieties that come to harvest quickly.