Hey everyone! I'm looking for advice on how to plant watermelons, as I've encountered a ton of conflicting information out there. If anyone has experience, I'd love to hear your thoughts and maybe see some pictures too. Here are a few specific things I'm curious about:
- Will transplanting negatively affect the plants even if I'm extra careful with the roots?
- Is it necessary to plant watermelons in a mound, and what benefits does that offer?
- I've seen suggestions for planting multiple seedlings in a mound, but what's the general consensus? Should I plan on thinning them out or just let them be?
- Lastly, I'm looking at growing short-season varieties like Silver Yamato and Leelanau sweetglo. How many watermelons can I expect to let ripen on each vine for good-sized fruits?
3 Answers
I had a similar question to yours! When starting my own from seed, I made sure to start indoors in larger pots to avoid root binding. As for planting in mounds, it definitely helps with drainage since watermelons can be prone to root rot. If you're curious, I found excellent resources from agricultural extensions that back this up too. Happy planting!
I've never had a problem with transplanting either. Just remember that watermelons love warmth, so using cloches can help keep them toasty early in the season. When you plant, space them about 6"-8" apart and let the vines spread out in different directions. And as for the number of melons, I usually allow 1-2 per plant to keep them nice and big.
In my experience, transplanting watermelons can be okay if you handle their roots gingerly. I suggest using at least a 16 ounce container to start. When you're ready to transplant, pre-dig your hole so that you can slide the watermelon in without disturbing the soil much. It’s also best to plant one per mound; if you must plant two, just don’t cram them too close together. This helps with air circulation and prevents overcrowding.
I agree with PlantPal123! I also found that giving them plenty of space does wonders for overall health.
Exactly! I’ve seen much better results by limiting to 1-2 fruits and giving them enough nutrients and water.