The watermelon is somewhat delicate as a young plant, but once it reaches a certain size, if the weather is warm enough, it will grow into a stately plant with delicious fruits in the garden.
How to plant watermelons in the garden?
To successfully plant watermelons in the garden, you should start them indoors in April in a warm, bright location and after about three to four weeks outdoors with sufficient heat, light and water. Make sure there is a planting distance of at least one meter.
How do you get young watermelon plants?
Young watermelon plants can often be purchased from garden stores in May and June for growing in the garden. In some cases, plants can also be purchased that have already been grafted onto fig leaf pumpkin rootstock. However, if the need is greater, it is also worth growing from seeds. Allow a total of three to four weeks for growing the plants, including the germination period of around 14 days.
Which location do watermelons prefer?
Watermelons are preferably grown in warm regions on the Mediterranean and around the equator. When growing in this country you need above all:
- Light
- Warmth
- Water
For cultivation outdoors, the plants must be brought forward in good time from April onwards. If you have a greenhouse or a cold frame in your garden, you can use it to grow watermelons.
When are watermelons sown and planted?
If the seeds are grown from April, the young plants can be planted outdoors from mid-May if the weather is warm enough. When planting the young plants, however, care should be taken not to immediately move them from the windowsill into the blazing sun. It is better to initially put the plants outside in the pot for a few hours a day and wait for a somewhat cloudy or rainy day before planting.
How are watermelons ideally preferred?
The windowsill is the ideal place to grow watermelons from seeds. However, this bright location should not be heated too warm, otherwise the plants will sprout too much and bend over before planting out.
What needs to be considered when transplanting watermelons?
Watermelons have very sensitive roots and can quickly die when transplanted on hot days. Each time you transplant, you should be very careful so that too much soil does not fall away from the roots.
How to propagate watermelons?
The propagation of annual watermelons occurs exclusively through the seeds obtained. Seedless varieties are usually hybrid varieties that result from crossing other species.
When can watermelon fruits usually be harvested?
In this country, harvesting the fruits is usually only possible in autumn. The watermelons from greenhouse cultivation in the Mediterranean region are often sold from May to September.
Tips & Tricks
Since watermelons can grow relatively quickly, they should not be planted too close together. In the open field or in a greenhouse, a planting distance of at least one meter is advisable.
