It is suggested that when watermelon is grown in containers, the containers have at least a five gallon capacity per plant. Each of the containers shown here will hold about twenty gallons, so I planted two plants per container.
I've learned that excellent drainage is critical when growing plants in containers. For this reason, I have added a hefty amount of perlite to this medium, and of course, there are lots of drainage holes.
I've also learned that watermelon do best in a rich, moist soil. For richness, I've added horse manure compost, and to help retain moisture, I've added mulched leaves.
Probably most important is adequate light. These containers are placed in an open field where the plants will receive at least eight hours of sunlight.
The plants are healthy, near the bloom stage and are growing vigorously. I've put a lot of work and research into this little project. I hope to harvest several delicious Jubilee watermelons. Wish me luck, Y'all!
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How can I grow sweeter watermelons? My soil is sandy and alkaline.
Hardiness Zone: 7a
By pecanblondie from Las Cruces, NM
Check with your local county extension office! these folks are master gardeners, and well familiar with your local area and extremely knowledgeable! They are great!
I have always throughout the growing season top dressed, pile on, some compost around the planting mound. I believe that has helped, however, I've recently learned that the melons need a really dry spell as it's maturing to the end with less water to sweeten it up. I wasn't water-logging them but I was always making sure if it didn't rain in a couple/few hot days to make sure I "helped" out Mother Nature.
Protect it from what? Let it grow, then eat it! If it gets bugs, use an organic spray to rid them. If it gets a powdery mildew (which they are susceptible to), use Serenade disease control (it's organic). But other than that, let it grow and enjoy it.
How do you know when to pick watermelon? How big does it need to be?
By Debora
They can be various sizes depending the the type of melon you are growing. I have been told that when the melon is yellowish on the bottom but the rest is a good green it is ripe. In a store you can knock on a melon and if it sounds hollow it is ready.
Went out to my garden last night to check my watermelon and made a discovery. One of the melons that grew first had a dead vine. It popped right off. The melon didn't sound hollow nor was the bottom yellow but I took it inside. After cleaning it up and cooling it off we cut it open and it was definitely ripe. Tasty little thing with lots of seeds. So if you look over your melons and you notice the vine has died or is about dead you should probably pick it.
As a note: all the other melons still had good vines on them and I left them for now.
I couldn't figure out what was eating the flowers on my watermelon and green peppers until I caught a squirrel eating them, even though I use a fence along with rabbit and squirrel deterrent spray. The only thing that helped in the past was a pantyhose leg over the plant flowers. That looks kind of tacky, though. Are there any other ways to keep the squirrel from getting to the plants and eating the flowers?
By Jackie
If you have a dog or cat, after groomimg put animal hair around your plants this sometimes helps keep wild animals away.
I planted some Bonnie Blue crimson red watermelon plants about a week ago. The leaves are turning white on them now. What is the problem?
By Ronnie
It sounds like "sunburn". If you did not acclimate the plants to the sun, and planted them directly in the sun, the leaves can suffer. Luckily, the plants should recover. You can always rig up a little sun shade for them (like a tent) for a few days, if they still look to be suffering. In the future, bring the plants home, then put them in a place where they will only get an hour or two of direct sunlight each day, then gradually move them to where they will get more sun, over the course of a week or two (or build them a "tent", and keep them covered for less time each day).
I am looking for information on how to grow watermelons.
James from Las Animas, Colorado
I'm not sure your climate will support watermelons: they like it hot, humid, and rainy. If you can grow them, they are very easy. I used to throw seeds in pine straw and leave them alone and they came up all by themselves.
I would like to know what is the best method for growing rock melon and watermelon.
By Sabrina
What is the best fetilizer to grow the largest and sweetest watermelons and cantaloupes?
By Clarence
I would like some information on growing watermelons. Thanks.
By David
I have big red ants with black bottoms eating my watermelon plant. How can save them?
By Barbara C
How long should watermelons be planted in the greenhouse before transplanting to the field?
Hardiness Zone: 8a
Randy from Oak Ridge, LA
Check out these photos.
I live in a strange world. I could give you many examples. For now, I'll give you just two.
This picture is of my Grandmother in 1930. I do believe that is a watermelon she is getting ready to cut. She certainly did something right in her garden!
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I have two questions about growing watermelon. We have a small watermelon growing in our garden. What do I do to protect it?
