Watermelons can be grown in all parts of the country, but the warmer temperatures and longer growing season of southern areas especially favor this vegetable. Gardeners in northern areas should choose early varieties and use transplants.
Can you grow watermelon in the north east?
Though watermelon requires a long hot Summer growing season and is more commonly grown in the South, it is possible to grow it in the Northeast too.
What states grow best watermelons?
Nearly 80 percent of all U.S. watermelon production hails from four States—Florida, Georgia, Texas and California.
Where do watermelons grow the best?
Watermelons do best in loamy, somewhat-sandy, well-drained soil. They can struggle in soil that contains too much clay and doesn’t drain well. Watermelons prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5 (“slightly acidic to neutral”). Watermelons need A LOT of space—up to 20 square feet per plant.
What climate do watermelons like?
The best average temperature range for watermelon production during the growing season is between 65°F and 95°F. Temperatures above 95°F or below 50°F will slow the growth and maturation of the crop. Watermelons require a constant supply of moisture during the growing season.
How long do watermelons take to grow?
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 cold hardy is watermelon?
Watermelons can withstand temperatures down to 33 degrees Fahrenheit, but when hit by frost, watermelon plants will be killed. Do not plant watermelons outside until the danger of frost has passed in your area.
Who has the sweetest watermelon?
Cave City melons are not only Arkansas famous, but world famous as the town sign reads “home of the world’s sweetest watermelon.” Locals from the town of 2,000 will tell you the secret is in the soil, not just in the seeds!
What is the best tasting watermelon?
25 of the Best Watermelon Varieties
- Picnic. Allsweet. Charleston Gray. Crimson Sweet.
- Icebox. Blacktail Mountain. Bush Sugar Baby. Sweet Beauty.
- Personal. Golden Midget. Little Darling.
- Giant. Black Diamond Yellow Belly. Carolina Cross #183.
- Seedless. Big Tasty. Mini Piccolo.
- Orange, Yellow, or White Flesh. Orange Crisp. Orangeglo.
Where is watermelon grown in the winter?
The watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a warm-season plant native to Africa. As an annual, it prospers best in regions with long growing seasons and warm temperatures. Winter watermelon culture is only possible in warm, frost-free climates or heated greenhouses in cooler climates.
What month do you 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.
How hard is it to grow watermelon?
The great news: watermelon is relatively easy to grow! It takes a long season and thrives in hot weather, but give it some space to sprawl, and it’s mostly maintenance-free!
What zones can you grow watermelon?
Watermelons are annual crops that can be grown from seed or watermelon seedlings. These melons can be grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant zones 2 to 11, as long as summer temperatures remain warm enough for the duration of the plant’s development.
Can watermelons survive winter?
No, watermelons cannot survive frost. Freezing temperatures will cause the fruit to wither and die on the vine. A watermelon covered in frost, even for a short period of time, will turn mushy and inedible.
How many gallons of water does it take to grow a watermelon?
Watermelons are 95 percent water. 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.)
Do watermelons need a lot of rain?
Watermelons require the right mix of rain, sun and warm temperatures to reach peak size and sweetness. Rains early in the growing season help melons grow to the proper size, but too much rain later in the season can introduce disease and cause melons to ruin. Cloudy skies also reduce melon sweetness.
How many watermelons does a single plant produce?
2-4 fruits
How Many Watermelons per Plant? Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. The vines produce both male and female flowers. Both are needed to set fruit and there are fewer female flowers compared to male, about one female for every seven males.
What to put under watermelons while growing?
In order to grow great watermelons, you’ll need to put a barrier between the watermelons and the ground. This is to reduce the risk of rot and disease. Good ground barriers are straw, or even cardboard.
Do watermelons need a lot of water?
Watermelon plants need a lot of water in order to produce well-shaped fruits with tasty flesh. Thus, you shall keep them moist, but avoid excessive soil moisture. On average, watermelons need 25mm of water/week. This, of course, is not a rule.
Can watermelon seeds survive frost?
Direct Sowing
Watermelons are warm-season plants that do not tolerate cold weather and will succumb to late frosts. So make sure you exercise a little patience – the best time to plant your seeds is at least two weeks after your average last spring frost date.
Can watermelon plants survive 40 degrees?
No, they cannot.