I've been struggling with my watermelon plants for the last few years. They often end up stunted and small, and while some do flower, they rarely set fruit. I find it puzzling since my squash plants, which are closely related, thrive in the same conditions. I live in New England, zone 6b, where the last frost hits around early May and the first frost comes in early to mid-October.
My soil is loamy and I add a layer of leaves and compost annually. Besides watermelon, I've had no issues with other veggies or fruits, though my sweet corn sometimes grows tall without producing ears. I water my watermelons the same way I do my other vegetables. While I've never fertilized them, my squash seems fine with just the compost and occasional feeding.
I've tried starting my watermelons indoors in early to mid-May before transplanting them outdoors in late May, and I've also tried direct sowing seeds in raised mounds at the end of May or early June. Regardless of the method, the plants tend to be stringy and only reach about a foot long, and I've only had one year where I managed to get a single watermelon. This year, I purchased seeds for Sangria and Cal Sweet Bush, hoping these larger varieties will perform better.
I'm looking for any advice on how to turn this around or if you can suggest some reliable watermelon varieties suitable for my area.
2 Answers
First off, it's great that your squash is thriving! For watermelons, check your soil drainage as well. Watermelons don’t like sitting in water. If the soil is consistently moist, it might hinder growth. Also, make sure they get plenty of sunlight; they love the sun! As for varieties, alongside the Sangria and Cal Sweet Bush, try looking for smaller, quicker-maturing varieties that might fit better with your growing season.
It sounds like your watermelon plants are definitely struggling. Fertilizing could really help them out. Watermelons need nutrients to develop properly, especially since they set fruit. You might want to consider using a balanced fertilizer or one that's higher in potassium, which encourages fruiting. Just make sure it’s organic if you're into that!
Thanks for the tip! I usually focus on compost, but maybe adding some fertilizer would give them that extra boost they need.
Good point! I didn't really think about drainage, but that might be an issue. I'll also keep an eye out for quicker varieties!