Is there anything sweeter than a juicy slice of watermelon on a hot summer day? Whether you grill up wedges at a cookout, blend it into a summer cocktail, or slice it for an afternoon snack, watermelon is such a refreshing way to beat the heat. Sure, you can pick a watermelon at the supermarket or purchase it in pre-cut halves, quarters, or cubes, but growing watermelon in your backyard means you’ll get to enjoy your very own supply of summer’s favorite fruit all season long!
If the thought of starting your own watermelon patch sounds overwhelming, it’s actually easier than you’d expect! You just need plenty of space, lots of sunshine, a good amount of moisture, and balmy temperatures. But if your yard isn’t big enough to sow seeds, a small-garden solution, such as growing the fruit in containers or along a trellis, is just as effective.
By following the proper steps, you’ll be rewarded with a bountiful harvest in no time. Here’s a step-by-step, beginner-friendly guide on how to grow watermelon, so you’ll have fresh juicy fruit for the summer.
Different Types Of Watermelon to Grow
First, you’ll need to select which type of watermelon you’re going to plant. Whether you’re dealing with a small garden or looking for a beginner-friendly option, these are the best varieties to grow:
Crimson Sweet
If you like your watermelon crisp and perfectly sweet, growing Crimson Sweet is your best bet. This classic variety is a dependable crop that’s resistant to diseases and takes about 90 days to mature. Since this type reaches 15 to 25 pounds, you’ll get a substantial supply of fruit without worrying about it going to waste.
Sugar Baby
For first-time growers and beginners, Sugar Baby watermelon is one of the easiest options to grow. This variety yields smaller fruits (no more than 10 pounds), and it grows pretty quickly, so you won’t have to wait eons to enjoy a piece.
Bush Sugar Baby
Bush Sugar Baby is perfect for smaller yards. With compact vines and manageably sized fruits that don’t exceed 12 pounds, this type of watermelon doesn’t need a lot of space to flourish. It’s also a great candidate for raised beds and container gardens.
Blacktail Mountain
If you live in a colder climate with short, cool summers, Blacktail Mountain is a watermelon variety that’ll thrive, despite a shorter season. This type matures early (about 70 to 80 days after planting), and the plant produces sweet, crunchy fruit you won’t be able to resist.
Charleston Gray
To fill a spacious yard, growing Charleston Gray will get the job done. Once it reaches maturity, the crop has a long oblong shape, and it weighs up to 30 pounds. Exceptionally sweet and deliciously juicy, the flavor is divine, too.
How to Grow Watermelon
Once you’ve decided which type of watermelon you’d like to plant, you’re ready to put on your gardening gloves and get digging. To grow your watermelon without the stress, follow these five simple steps:
Step 1: Wait for Warm Weather
Cold, frosty conditions are not your watermelon’s friend. To grow big and strong, this crop needs consistently hot temperatures—70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Wait to sow your seeds until about a month after the last frost has passed and the soil has heated up to 60 degrees at a minimum.
Step 2: Select a Sunny Spot
Since watermelon loves the heat, it’s no surprise that this plant requires full sun to thrive. As you map out your watermelon garden, choose an area that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day. You’ll also want to prioritize a spacious spot, as the vines spread quickly and extensively.
Step 3: Prepare the Soil
For in-ground planting, you’ll need sandy loam soil that’s loose, rich, and well-draining. Watermelons are also heavy feeders, so before you start planting, till the soil and mix in some organic compost to add nutrients and improve drainage. If you’re growing this plant in a pot, use a lightweight potting mix and choose a container with lots of drainage holes.
Step 4: Plant the Seeds
Once you’ve properly prepared the soil for in-ground planting, create mounds that are six inches tall and four to six feet apart, and place two or three seeds in each mound. If you’re transplanting seedlings, plant them at the same depth that they were growing in their containers.
Step 5: Water It Well
After sowing the seeds, give the soil a thorough watering—this will help the seeds germinate or the transplants settle in. From there, your watermelon plant will need consistent moisture before it becomes established.
How to Care for Your Watermelon Plant
As your watermelon matures, you’ll need to give it the love and attention it needs to grow. Follow these watermelon care tips for a healthy harvest:
Keep It Hydrated
While its vines, flowers, and fruits are developing, watermelon needs frequent hydration. When the seedlings are starting to grow, water the crop every one to two days. Then, once it starts flowering, adjust your watering schedule to once a week, soaking it one to two inches deep. About a week or two before the fruit is ready to harvest, reduce the amount of moisture you give it—drier conditions will give the fruit a sweeter flavor.
Add a Layer of Mulch
Mulching your plant has so many benefits. To lock in moisture, suppress weeds, and protect your plant from rotting, cover the soil around your watermelon with organic mulch or straw.
Fertilize Strategically
Since watermelon plants are heavy feeders, they often benefit from fertilizing. Apply a balanced fertilizer at three different stages: after sowing the seeds, when the vines extend (usually two to three weeks after planting), and once you spot the first flower bloom. Make sure to fertilize only after watering the soil.
Pull Weeds Early
Tackle weeds in the early growing stages, so the invasive plants won’t absorb all the water and nutrients that your watermelon needs to flourish. Once the vines start to spread, it’ll become nearly impossible to pull weeds without crushing the plant, so starting early is key.
Look Out for Pests
Be on the lookout for pests like aphids, squash bugs, and cucumber beetles that love watermelon. These insects feed on its leaves and fruit, which can stunt plant growth and transmit harmful diseases. Examine your plant every week to catch bugs before they turn into a full infestation.
How to Harvest Ripe Watermelon
Depending on the type of watermelon you’re growing, most varieties take about 70 to 100 days until they’re ready to harvest, but a few visible signs are more reliable. Here’s how to tell when your fruit is ripe:
Look for a Color Change
When a watermelon reaches full maturity, the soil beneath it transitions from pale green to creamy yellow. To check the coloring, gently roll the watermelon, and examine the spot where it rested on the ground. If the color is yellow, it’s good to go, but if it’s white or green, the plant needs more time.
Examine the Tendril
Another sign that your watermelon is ready to harvest? The curly tendril, where the watermelon attaches to the vine, is completely brown and fully dry. If it’s green, the fruit is still growing and ripening.
Scan the Skin
A ripe watermelon loses some of its glossy appearance and develops a more muted, duller color. If the exterior is still shiny, it’s probably underripe.
Give It a Gentle Tap
Gently tapping the exterior is another test you can try in tandem with the previous tricks. If you hear a deep, hollow sound, your watermelon is ripe and ready. While this method isn’t foolproof, it can confirm or deny the aforementioned signs of ripeness.
When the watermelon is finally ready to harvest, use a pair of pruners or a sharp knife to cut it from the vine (don’t pull or twist it). To avoid damaging the fruit, leave a short piece of the stem attached to it. A whole watermelon will last for several days at room temperature, but after you cut it up, store the slices or cubes in an airtight container in the fridge, and enjoy it within a few days.
Lilly Blomquist is the associate editor at The Pioneer Woman, where she writes lifestyle stories across a wide range of topics—including news, entertainment, holidays, food, and more.
