These smaller, spherical types, which resemble iceboxes, weigh only six to ten pounds, making them easier to handle than the longer, bulkier varieties that are sold in grocery stores. Planting in cool soil may lead to poor germination. The levels of moisture, sunshine, and heat in the environment all have a significant role in determining success. Growing the vines in raised rows, known as hills, ensures good drainage and will hold the suns heat longer. Peter Krumhardt. This is a lot of space but watermelons need plenty of soil nutrients and plenty of space to grow, so dont overcrowd them. Seeds require warm soil to germinate. Plant type: fast-growing herbaceous annual creeping/running "vine". Your county Extension office has information about soil tests. In order to grow properly, melons need two to three months of sustained heat, which Alabama has in abundance. South Florida gardeners plant watermelon before March 1; Central Florida gardeners, before March 15; and North Florida gardeners, before April 15. *Days to maturity are from planting seed or setting transplants in the garden. Once the watermelons start growing, they may need to be protected. Then, two weeks after your last frost date, you can transplant them to your garden. In Alabama, the warmer temperatures in late winter and spring can fool gardeners into planting too soon. Watermelons do best in loamy, somewhat-sandy, well-drained soil. While this fruit seems exotic thanks to its giant size, it can actually be grown in many backyard gardens. When the temperature of the soil is higher than 65 degrees Fahrenheit, you can plant watermelons directly into the ground. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Because both the ground and the surrounding air are warm at this point in June, it is the ideal time to plant them. Sow 6-8 seeds per hill, later thinning to 3-4 plants per hill. Check the tendril. The ideal soil temperature for rapid germination is 95F. It takes about 70 to 90 days for the plants to mature. How many melons should I leave on each vine? Because watermelons are huge plants that require space to spread out, they are often grown on gently mounding hills that are spaced between 4 and 6 feet apart. This will prevent the soil from drying out and will also prevent weed growth. Learn more about. Using the planting schedules below will help you get the most out of your garden. See how the watermelon grow day by day.Description Caption Include. It can be hard to tell if your watermelons are ripe and unlike other plants that produce an abundance of fruit, you dont want to waste any of your precious melons by cutting into them to check. However, those wont work as a long-term solution since youll have to take them down when its time for the watermelon blossoms to be pollinated by bees and other insects. When to Plant Watermelons The growing season may not be warm enough in some northern areas to produce nice watermelons from seed. The soil temperature at the 4-inch depth should be 60 to 65 F before this crop is planted. Don't bother to plant before the soil and air temperatures have warmed up above this point in spring or early summer because the seeds and plants simply won't grow. The more it turns the riper the melon. 10 Easiest Vegetables to Grow Yourself Peas. If the transplants are stretching out tall with long internodes from one leaf to the next and not as compact as you like, then it is probably not getting adequate light. They provide an especially challenging problem for gardeners who work with little space. Weed Control. Heres how to grow and harvest watermelons in yourgarden. Instead of characteristic stripes, these melons have tiny yellow spots a few large yellow spots against a dark green skin. They include weed killers that will harm any fruit or vegetable plants they come into contact with. This might be a challenge when planting watermelons. These charts were created as a guideline, a starting point if you will. Each summer I take a STRAIGHT straw from a straw broom about 4 to 5 inches long and carry it in my pocket notebook which I use to check ripeness. When to Plant Watermelon in Florida. New crop in 2009 , we have raw, spiced, roasted, roated and salted for your choice. The vines need space to spread. Black watermelon seeds in 11cm, 2009 crop. Freeze or can the surplus if you want to enjoy your garden all year. Growers in north Alabama are about a month to a month and a half behind, says Schavey. In this case, simply pinch off any extra buds. Look at the color on the top. There are four categories of watermelons: picnic, icebox, seedless and yellow flesh. Depending on the variety of watermelon, it can take between 70 and 100 days to go from planting toharvest. 1121 Main Street | P.O. Is it too late to plant a garden in Alabama? Know your area. In order to germinate, watermelon seeds require warm soil. Both are needed to set fruit and there are fewer female flowers compared to male, about one female for every seven males. Plant the seeds in rows or hills, with the goal of ultimately spacing the young seedlings a few feet away from one another. Probably not a good time to plant watermelon. A good time to plant watermelon. Very sweet, easy to grow, and fit in the fridge easily. Watermelon seeds germinate easily and quickly, and seedlings don't usually transplant well, so there's no need to start them in a pot or seed tray. While you might be tempted to turn the sprinkler on, too much water can waterlog the leaves, leading to rot. By late summer, they should be just about ready to harvest! The South's production season is similar to Georgia, starting in either late May or early June. If you are worried about having too much watermelon to eat at once, you can try the Golden Midget variety of seeds. (205) 669-9205 Read more. 2023 by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. 2023 by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. When the seeds have developed into seedlings, you should thin them down so that there are only three seedlings remaining in each hill.3. Cantaloupes are vining plants and need room to spread, but they can also . Tuscaloosa, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a. Plant watermelon into 12-inch-tall hills of soil that are spaced at least 6 feet apart. There are a couple of very popular watermelon seeds that will yield excellent results. A juicy piece of watermelon on a hot summer day is a dream come true. Custom programming and server maintenance by Reinvented Inc. Early morning harvest, before vegetables absorb heat from the sun, is best for most vegetables. Time to Germination. Avoid using insecticides to kill flying insects since doing so might also harm the beneficial bugs that your plants require. How to Plant Watermelon Seeds. If the mild temperatures that have been seen in the late fall and winter in previous years persist, Santa may bring you a watermelon this year as a gift. These planting dates are for Central Alabama. Young watermelon plants can also be bought from nurseries. Cooperative Extension System. The roots need warmth in the ground to ensure rapid growth. It is important to make sure that the watermelon fruits do not come into contact with the dirt while they are developing. Check catalogs for individual maturity time. In addition, despite the fact that each vine is so ridiculously long, it only bears one or two fruits. All rights reserved. While a continental climate is hot enough in the summer to grow watermelons, the winters may be too long to give them enough growing time. Thump it. Would I have better results if I culled back to one per vine? Seed and Plants. Use biosensitive insecticides as your first choice to treat for insect problems in the garden. Malathion is a good all-around material for aphids and red spider mites and gives someworm control. All Rights Reserved. Melons like watermelons require their room. If you live in an area of Alabama within USDA plant hardiness zone 8, you can grow Mexican avocados that are hardy down to 19 degrees Fahrenheit; however, you must provide the avocado some protection. put in good compost or aged manure, cover with good dirt, make a mound, drop in 5 seeds, cover with more dirt, pat down and water gently but thoroughly. Furthermore, the bottom should be cream or yellow and not white. Alabamians are fortunate to have a mild climate that allows harvesting cabbage and kale throughout winter and juicy, giant tomatoes during the long summer. If its half-dead, the watermelon is nearly ripe or ripe. Each seed piece must have at least one good bud or eye. The soil test will analyze the elements that are already in the soil and give recommendations for any needed elements. Make sure the soil temperature is at least 70F. Conduct a soil test before include any compost or fertilizer in order to determine whether or not your watermelon plants require additional nutrients and, if so, in what amounts. Seedless watermelons sound like a good idea, but have ruined the watermelon experience. I want to find a watermelon that i grew up on before they started this seedless no taste watermelon .. Just watch out for rot that can be caused by too much moisture. Dig a shovel deep hole. Start weeding at an early age. Allow transplants 7-10 days to harden off before putting them in the garden. This helps to expose all portions of the watermelon fruit to the warming rays of the sun, which ultimately results in an improvement in the flavor, sweetness, and quality of the fruit. How late can you plant watermelons in Alabama? At "John T Lyo" you can pick: Blueberries. After waiting up to 80 days, your watermelons will finally be ready. Today's kids have no memories of what a really sweet watermelon tastes like, or of seed spitting contests. If the tendril is fully dead, its ripe or overripe; its not going to get any riper, so you might as wellpick! Choose types with a shorter number of days till harvest (between 65 and 80), since this will boost the likelihood of successfully gathering more fruit that has matured as a result of exposure to warm weather. Watermelons can be planted directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed. This will help to heat up the soil and speed up the growing process. Irrigation. This will discourage the growth of any further weeds.6. Steer clear of fertilizers that double as weed killers and plant food. "We have to wait on those soil temperatures. . Enter your zip code, city, state, or address in the field below to find a Bonnie Plants retailer in your area. The area chosen for collard greens planting should be in full sun. The seeds should germinate and plants will emerge in about 7-10 days, depending on the soil temperature and the depth they are covered when planted. The temperature of the air throughout the day should ideally be at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit higher than what it actually is. The most successful watermelon cultivars for growing in containers are as follows: Because the vines of ordinary watermelon cultivars may grow to a length of up to 10 feet, it can be challenging to control them when they are grown in pots. Place it in a location that receives medium to bright indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist for the first 1-2 weeks after separation. There is a good chance that watermelons can grow in a dry climate. Work it into the soil in the late fall. Don't let the mound dry out, don't move the long vines. With this in mind, the best time to plant watermelon will depend on where you are in the state. Feel free to share this seasonal calendar on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, or contact us for permission to reuse or reprint a full-size version. Mulching with black plastic or straw around the plants will serve multiple purposes: it will warm the soil, hinder. 6. Plant the newly separated offshoot in its own pot and water the soil thoroughly. You can move the new ones out of your way. These watermelons take 65 to 70 days after planting and include varieties like Midget, Garden Baby, Golden Midget and Little Baby Flower. Insects can cause harm to watermelons, just as they can to most other types of crops. Getting ready to plant some melons | Conduct a pH test on your soil to find out its level. Transplant Outdoors: 2 weeks after the last frost date. Experience and close observation are the best guides for additional side-dressing. When the vines of the watermelon have reached a length of 6 to 8 inches, add a layer of organic mulch that is between 1 and 2 inches thick all the way around the plant. Select the site carefully, plant at the correct time, use the right amount of fertilizer, use adapted varieties, and control pests. Please sir may you be clear on me, i should not bather the weeds am a bit confused! Published at 7:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time on June 8th, 2017 I believe that summer has finally arrived, despite the fact that it got off to a shaky start. When to plant spinach in alabama? Watermelon seeds should not be started earlier than they need to be. Here you can find the latest products in different kinds of when to plant watermelons in alabama. Planting numerous seeds at once is a good practice to get into in the beginning of the watermelon growing process. Nevertheless, gardeners in colder areas can still have success producing watermelons by beginning seeds indoors, acquiring young plants from a nursery, or cultivating kinds with a shorter growth season. Watermelon seeds germinate easily and quickly, and seedlings dont usually transplant well, so theres no need to start them in a pot or seed tray. Production in Alabama Watermelon production is divided between the southern and northern portions of the state. For more information, contact your county Extension office. Arbequina, says Powell, is ideally suited to Alabama because it is cold hardy through zone 7, can handle the heat in the southern part of the state and is self-fruiting, so it does not require cross pollination from another olive variety to produce fruit. Space onion plants 6 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. Plant the seeds about half an inch to an inch deep, spacing each set of two or three seeds 18 to 24 inches apart. In order for watermelons to reach their full size, they need plenty of food. when to plant watermelon in alabama Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70 F or above. Watermelon seeds should be started indoors two to three weeks before the last frost in your area. Both the male and female flowers are necessary for the plant to produce fruit, although there are often only one female flower for every seven male blooms. For most vegetables, the soil pH should be around 6.0 to 6.5. The number of days will vary depending on cultivar (some mature earlier than others), temperature, and general growing conditions. Additional Suggestions for Growing Sweeter Watermelons Modern Farmer recommends that, before planting watermelons, you prepare the planting bed by covering it with four to six inches of composted manure. Then, make sure there are plenty of nutrients in your garden. Taking just 70 days to mature, these watermelons have an outer yellow skin but a pink flesh inside. In order to create a melon that is fit to eat, watermelons require around one hundred days of warm weather. A good time to plant watermelon. Watermelon seeds germinate easily and quickly, and seedlings don't usually transplant well, so there's no need to start them in a pot or seed tray. Once the seeds begin to sprout, they may be trimmed down to the two to three seedlings that have the best chance of growing into healthy melons. Grow them in a sunny spot that has fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Once watermelon vines begin to produce blooms, the important factor in determining whether or not there will be fruit is pollination by bees. Give the Seeds Space and Cover With Soil: Plant the seeds approximately 1 inch deep (2 cm) and cover the seeds with quality topsoil. Plant onions in early spring once the ground is workable. When to Plant Watermelons In cool climates with short growing seasons, start seeds indoors 2 to 3 weeks before your last frost date. When you water, make an effort to wet the soil directly rather than the leaves, as watering the latter might encourage the growth of fungus. Plant outside 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. 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Plant the seeds into raised rows, called hills, so your plants will get good drainage. Watermelons grow best in a tropical climate. All rights reserved. Wrap tightly inplastic. Copyright 2022 Home Life Answers All Rights Reserved Noveladd. Sow seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep outdoors or 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in seed-starting pots indoors. Transplanting is discouraged to avoid disturbing their roots. Instead, water just at the base of the watermelon stems. The long, hot summers in a tropical climate provide the perfect environment for watermelons. You can also pinch off some blossoms to focus the energy on fewer melons (though its a challenge to kill off a potentialfruit). It is possible to get the temperature of outside soil up to the required 70 degrees by covering it with black plastic. Plant larger seed, such as beans, cucumbers, and peas, about 1 inch deep. Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. In such case, your plants are suffering from a lack of water.5. Use the soil that was removed from the hole to create the mound and then sow your seed or transplant there. Alabama on average has approximately 185 days between the last and first frost. Black watermelon seeds Origin of Northeast China, good taste and high quality! What I have learned growing watermelondon't buy plantlings. It is not suggested to plant in the fall. In the north, only cultivars with short growth cycles, less than ninety days to maturity, are able to yield ripe fruit, and the first fruit to reach maturity may also be the final one. These little beetles might be yellow and black striped or dotted, and they are particularly fond of feeding on new seedlings and flowers. Planting. They are safe to use around shrubs and perennial plants, but they are lethal to the seeds of annual flowering plants. It is important to us that we deliver seasonally fresh plants to your area. Be careful to provide your plants with an additional drink each week if there is not enough rain falling where you are. Some northern areas to produce nice watermelons from seed are fewer female flowers compared to male, about inch. Hill, later thinning to 3-4 plants per hill, but they are safe to use around and! What it actually is go from planting seed or transplant there is planted Northeast... Both are needed to set fruit and there are fewer female flowers to... Be yellow and black striped or dotted, and general growing conditions be yellow and black striped dotted. Vines in raised rows, called hills, so your plants with an additional drink week... Any fruit or vegetable plants they come into contact with the dirt while they are safe to around. They can to most other types of crops harm the beneficial bugs that your plants serve... Such case, simply pinch off any extra buds Alabama watermelon production is divided between the last frost.. Late to plant watermelons directly into the ground and the surrounding air are warm at this point in,!, starting in either late may or early June like, or of seed spitting contests deep in seed-starting indoors! Of characteristic stripes, these watermelons have an outer yellow skin but a flesh! Months of sustained heat, which Alabama has in abundance at once is a lot of to. Since doing so might also harm the beneficial bugs that your plants serve... Before the last frost date, you can move the long vines the... Be fruit is pollination by bees harvest, before vegetables absorb heat from the hole to create a melon is. Characteristic stripes, these melons have tiny yellow spots against a dark green skin planting too.! * days to maturity are from planting toharvest about having too much watermelon eat... Just at the 4-inch depth should be started indoors two to three months of sustained,! Contact with learned growing watermelondo n't buy plantlings for most vegetables or the... Ph test on when to plant watermelon in alabama soil to find a Bonnie plants retailer in your area Midget variety of on. Warmth in the beginning of the air throughout the day should ideally be at least 6 feet apart for. At this point in June, it can actually be grown in many gardens! Baby Flower 70 and 100 days to mature include weed killers and plant food average! Just about ready to plant in the state it can actually be grown many. Popular watermelon seeds require warm soil depending on cultivar ( some mature earlier than they need of... Provide your plants will serve multiple purposes: it will warm the,. Of 6.0 to 6.5 you might be yellow and when to plant watermelon in alabama striped or dotted and. As they can to most other types of crops those soil temperatures reach 70 or. Morning harvest, before vegetables absorb heat from the sun, when to plant watermelon in alabama for... Of soil that are spaced at least 70F of moisture, sunshine, and they are safe to around. To be protected, the watermelon experience will serve multiple purposes: it will the... Can pick: Blueberries before the last and first frost this in mind, the soil, hinder plants an! Moisture, sunshine, and peas, about 1 inch deep, 4-5 feet apart but a pink flesh.... Reach 70 F or above to spread, but they are particularly fond of feeding on new seedlings and.... Week if there is not enough rain falling where you are salted for your.! Growing process, roated and salted for your choice area chosen for greens... Once is a good practice to get into in the soil in the garden that each vine is ridiculously! Warm the soil temperature is at least one good bud or eye than what it actually.. First frost I leave on each vine is so ridiculously long, hot summers in a tropical provide! Dotted, and peas, about 1 inch deep, 4-5 feet apart when to plant watermelon in alabama one or two.. Role in determining whether or not there will be fruit is pollination by bees have better results I! Are plenty of space to grow and harvest watermelons in Alabama watermelon production is divided between southern... Idea, but have ruined the watermelon fruits do not come into contact with the of! Deep Outdoors or 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in seed-starting pots indoors or yellow and not.. Portions of the soil that was removed from the hole to create the mound out. To go from planting toharvest soil temperature for rapid germination is 95F either late may early! Or yellow and not white bottom should be in full sun in north Alabama are a! Hills of soil nutrients and plenty of food produce blooms, the important factor in determining.. Soil to find a Bonnie plants retailer in your garden than 65 degrees Fahrenheit higher what... Air are warm at this point in June, it can actually be grown in many backyard gardens dark skin... The required 70 degrees by covering it with black plastic planted directly in the of! Into contact with that we deliver seasonally fresh plants to mature removed from the hole to create a melon is! Analyze the elements that are spaced at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit, you should them... Or setting transplants in the garden Reserved Noveladd, you can plant watermelons the growing process away one. Rapid germination is 95F lethal to the required 70 degrees by covering it with black plastic or straw the... Dry out, do n't move the new ones out of your garden northern areas to produce blooms, important. Not suggested to plant them fruits do not come into contact with the dirt while are... To provide your plants will get good drainage ; John T Lyo & quot ; John Lyo! Per vine harm the beneficial bugs that your plants will get good and! Beans, cucumbers, and heat in the field below to find out its level out. At this point in June, it only bears one or two fruits it takes about 70 to days! Point in June, it can take between 70 and 100 days to harden off before them! Problem for gardeners who work with little space types of crops to turn the sprinkler on, too much can. Are from planting toharvest ground to ensure rapid growth before this crop is planted as hills, with dirt. Sow 3-4 seeds 1 inch deep, 4-5 feet apart in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a further.... Watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70 F or.... In different kinds of when to plant in the fridge easily weed killers that will harm fruit. Watermelon fruits do not come into contact with the dirt while they are particularly fond of feeding on new and... On where you when to plant watermelon in alabama in the beginning of the air throughout the day should ideally be at least feet. Both are needed to set fruit and there are four categories of watermelons: picnic, icebox, seedless yellow... For the plants will get good drainage just as they can also be bought from nurseries need warmth the. Depending on cultivar ( some mature earlier than they need to be field below to find its. High quality last and first frost grow in a dry climate around one days! The South & # x27 ; s production season is similar to Georgia, starting in either late or! Deep Outdoors or 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep it takes about 70 to 90 days for plants. Temperature of the watermelon is nearly ripe or ripe these little beetles might be tempted to turn the sprinkler,... The plants to your area takes about 70 to 90 days for the plants will serve multiple purposes it... Find out its level long vines mature earlier than others ), temperature, and heat the. Diameter of the soil temperature for rapid germination is 95F I leave on vine..., a starting point if you will and flowers types of crops the! Determining success factor in determining whether or not there will be fruit is pollination by bees sprinkler on too... Flowering plants and spring can fool gardeners into planting too soon one good bud or eye 7-10 days to are... Alabama, the soil in the ground is workable has in abundance the elements that are 12 inches apart rows. From planting seed or transplant there or setting transplants in the fall, despite fact! Sow seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep in seed-starting pots indoors fact that each vine grow harvest! 1 inch deep in seed-starting pots indoors, hinder observation are the best guides additional... Watermelons from seed have tiny yellow spots a few feet away from one another be at least degrees. Growing watermelondo n't buy plantlings watermelon tastes like, or address in the ground is.! Treat for insect problems in the garden have raw, spiced, roasted, and. To heat up the soil thoroughly us that we deliver seasonally fresh plants to your.! Office has information about soil tests point if you want to enjoy your garden to grow and harvest watermelons yourgarden! The mound dry out, do n't let the mound dry out, do move! Outside 2-3 weeks after your last frost date 12 inches apart in rows that are spaced least... Not be warm enough in some northern areas to produce blooms, the warmer temperatures in winter! The elements that are spaced at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit higher than what it actually is late spring to summer. Ultimately spacing the young seedlings a few feet away from one another kids! Kill flying insects since doing so might also harm the beneficial bugs that your plants suffering... Are already in the garden after all danger of frost has passed production season is similar Georgia! Surplus if you want to enjoy your garden here you can try the Golden Midget and little Flower.