Direct-seed 1 to 2 weeks after average last frost when soil is 70 F or warmer. Plant 1 inch deep, 6 seeds per hill, hills 4 to 6 feet apart; or 1 foot apart in rows 5 feet apart.
How do you plant Black Diamond watermelons?
How to Grow Black Diamond Watermelon From Seed
- Plant the seeds 1/4 inch deep and lightly cover with seed starting mix.
- Keep the soil moist and warm.
- Once seedlings appear, reduce watering.
- When seedlings grow their first true leaves, cut back on watering again.
How close together can you plant watermelon?
Watermelons need a lot of room. Seeds or transplants should be planted in rows spaced 6 to 8 feet apart. Plants should be spaced 5 to 6 feet apart within the row. Under normal conditions watermelons grown from transplants can be harvested as much as two weeks earlier than melons grown directly from seed.
How much space do you need for 1 watermelon plant?
Watermelons need A LOT of space—up to 20 square feet per plant. Their vines need room to sprawl, so plant them in a place where they won’t crowd out other crops. Growing the vines in raised rows, known as hills, ensures good drainage and will hold the sun’s heat longer.
How big does a black diamond watermelon get?
Black Diamond Heirloom Watermelon grows on tough, vigorous vines. Black Diamond Watermelon fruits can average 30-50 pounds, with some reaching up to 125 pounds! This watermelon variety has dark, blue-green thick rinds which protect the sweet, firm bright-red flesh.
Why are Black Diamond watermelons so expensive?
This specific black diamond watermelon by Densuke is only grown on the island of Hokkaido in Japan. They take a considerable amount of space to grow, and require several months of care and maintenance. They are very rare and every year there are fewer than a hundred that the company sells.
What is the sweetest watermelon?
Sultan. Sultan is one of the sweetest varieties you’ll find, this one measures 12.3 on the Brix scale. The fruits average 15 pounds and ripen within 95 days.
What happens if you plant watermelons too close together?
In the case of spacing watermelon plants, those set too far apart waste valuable garden space while those set too close together compete for light, air and soil nutrients, resulting in a potentially compromised crop.
What month is the best time to plant watermelon?
Watermelons need about 100 days of warm weather to produce an edible melon. If the warm, late fall and winter weather of recent years continues, you may get a watermelon for Christmas. The best times to sow seeds for watermelons are early March and early August.
What should not be planted with watermelon?
For companion plants, you’re going to want to plant it with things like radishes, lettuces & then avoid things like cucumber, zucchini, and basically anything in the melon family. Basically they make it difficult for the plants to grow and mature and can attract diseases.
What is the best fertilizer for watermelons?
Choosing the best fertilizer for watermelon is the key to a quality harvest.
- BEST OVERALL: Dr.
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Espoma Garden Tone 3-4-4 Plant Food.
- PREMIUM PICK: Organic Plant Magic Super Premium Plant Food.
- BEST ORGANIC: Jobe’s Organics Granular Fertilizer.
- BEST LIQUID: Neptune’s Harvest Hydrolyzed Fish Fertilizer.
How long does it take for a watermelon to grow to full size?
80 to 90 days
It takes the shortest amount of time to mature, about 70 to 75 days. A main-season watermelon is larger and takes longer to ripen, usually 80 to 90 days.
How often should I water my watermelon?
Watering Watermelons
They require plentiful regular, even watering for quick growing. Give watermelons 1 to 2 inches (2.5. -5cm) of water every week (1 inch equals 16 gallons/60.5 liters.) Keep the soil moist until the fruit reaches full size then stop watering while the fruit ripens.
What is the most expensive watermelon?
Densuke melons
Nearly seedless with a black rind and exceptionally sweet flesh, Densuke melons typically cost around $250 USD. In 2008, a Densuke melon sold for roughly $6,100 USD; it’s considered the most expensive watermelon ever sold. While exceedingly rare, Densuke melons aren’t exclusively sold in Japan.
Is Black Diamond watermelon good?
“Black Diamond’ watermelons taste mild and delicate due to their high water content, which is more than 92 percent. Over the years, these watermelons have been cultivated to have a more appealing flavor that’s sweet and satisfying, which means they’re an excellent dessert fruit.
How do you tell when a black diamond watermelon is ripe?
Harvesting Black Diamond Watermelons
When attempting to pick a ripe watermelon, pay close attention to the tendril located where the melon connects to the plant stem. If this tendril is still green, the melon is not ripe. If the tendril has dried and turned brown, the melon is ripe or has started to ripen.
Why is my black diamond watermelon white inside?
White heart is a disorder that can develop during the final stages of watermelon growth. With this disorder, white streaks appear throughout the flesh of the melon.
Are Sugar Baby and black diamond watermelon the same?
Black Diamond is a regular size watermelon and Sugar Baby is icebox size.
What is the most expensive fruit in the world?
Here’s a quick recap of the 10 most expensive fruits in the world:
- Yubari King Melon – $45,000/Pair.
- Ruby Roman Grapes – $8,400/Per Bunch.
- Densuke Watermelon – $6,100 Each.
- Taiyo no Tamago Mango – $3,000/Pair.
- Lost Gardens of Heligan pineapples – $1,600 Each.
- Square Watermelon – $800 Each.
Should watermelon vines be pruned?
Pruning watermelons promotes healthier vines and increases fruit size. Look for irregular or rotting fruit to prune from the plant. Removing the less than perfect melons will enable the plant to focus energy towards growing bigger, healthier, juicier melons.
What is the fastest growing watermelon?
The fastest a watermelon can be ready for harvest is 70 days after planting. These quick-growing species generally reach between 6 and 10 lbs. and include the golden crown, sugar baby, yellow baby and yellow doll varieties. Most watermelons take 80 to 85 days to be ready for harvest.