How to Plant Watermelon Pick an area of well-drained soil that gets plenty of sunlight for growing watermelons. Melons grow best on a deep, well drained, sandy or sandy loam soil with plenty of organic matter. Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. SPRING Planting date . Plant transplants before the second true leaf opens. If your growing season is short, … Most watermelons … Sandy soil is best but almost any type of soil can be used to grow … Fruit size can be increased by pruning watermelons to two fruits per plant for large varieties or four to six fruits per plant on small varieties. The vines are massive. Change in color of soil spot. According to Juan Anciso, Ph.D., a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service vegetable specialist in Weslaco and professor with the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, this year’s Brix count measures watermelon … The seeds need warm soil (15C or 60F) to germinate. Melons prefer soils with a neutral pH, and if the soil is too acidic the plants will drop their blossoms. Ask your county Extension agent about what to use. Harvest honeydew melons when the skin begins to turn yellow and the end of the fruit opposite the stem (blossom end) begins to soften. But, every melon that starts to grow ends up with a mis-shaped end (vine and/or … Watermelon Production: Texas ranks 3rd in U.S. production. Figure 4. Keep weeds away from the plants, especially at the beginning of the season while the plants are getting started. Crop . You should plant watermelons when the soil has reached at least 70°F. Click for a hub of Extension resources related to the current COVID-19 situation. �̐����Y�̙�8i���� ��I��K7w`� �:�_���P7�3p9�i�p���?��)W�?0��� � �7� Dig or plow the soil 8 to 10 inches deep in winter or early spring. Best Varieties For North Texas. After the plants have two or three leaves, thin them again, leaving two plants per hill. Heavy soils with a lot of clay often cause small, weak plants that produce fewer melons. ... here in Texas. Dull sound when thumped. For better quality, harvest fruits at the “half slip” stage when the stem is partially separated from the fruit (Fig. Fine sandy soils or heavy clay soils often crust when dry, so if the weather is dry after planting, the hill may need moistening to soften the soil. %PDF-1.6 %���� Before the runners on the vines are about 6 inches long, scatter 2 to 3 pounds of fertilizer per 60 to 90 feet of row 2 to 3 feet to the side of the row and mix it lightly with the soil. Gardens can be harvested 10 to 12 days earlier if you use transplants. Phosphorous, the second number on the fertilizer label, is most important for muskmelons at planting, and nitrogen is important when the vines begin to run. Watermelons are big! Melons are warm-season crops and are easily injured by frost. 9LC����oԣ2�%�8�38�x�Ѓ���-�a hw0�>�&�CS(����+|���)��b�N�t��UL If spots do appear on the leaves and no insects are present, a fungicide may be needed. Small varieties can weigh 10 lbs, while larger types can tip the scale at 200 lbs! My plan was to let the vines grow over the tile, getting the watermelons … Harvest muskmelons when the fruit rind changes to a yellowish-orange color, the stem begins to separate or slip from the fruit, and the odor gets strong. Planting several seeds per spot helps plants push through. No matter how you cut it, melons are a traditional summer treat in Texas. � �,�SDŽd���&L*)��=��,>� ip�����?V3-�ła8u�L{\��N�g���dž� Before using a pesticide, read the label. For example, if planting in hardiness zone 5, the last frost date is generally between April 1st – April 15th, and the first frost date typically falls between October 16th – October 31st. Figure 2. Mid-March is usually time for the last frost of the season. Some signs of ripeness in watermelons are: Figure 6. This varies with the gardener and the size and type of melon and often is inaccurate. endstream endobj startxref The Texas Crop Profile W A T E R M E L O N … Do not plant watermelon if any chance of frost exists. The top five watermelon producing counties are Hidalgo, Brooks, Knox, Gaines and Wood. After the plants are up, thin them to three to four plants per hill. Planting a Watermelon It takes 70 to 100 days for a seed to grow into a melon that's ready to eat, so how and when to plant a melon depends on where you live. On average, ... pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelons, gourds and sunflowers, you should plant those seeds … Plant groups of six to eight seeds at a depth of 1 to 1½ inches. Planting . 8-������P�*Ѵ��x�N��'�W�zi^=m��q@GP}�m�y�N\�?yuv�W�&�^�d��xMzu��h��Tu=ߓ�:g���nX�:L�3�K��L���ٴ.J���%�y�裴 30 Watermelon ... Texas … Mark unread; Skip to new; Mark unread Print Skip to new. Melons are vining crops that require a lot of space, especially watermelons. %%EOF To prevent the buildup of diseases, do not plant melons in the same place more than once every 3 or 4 years. sybram Burleson, TX(Zone 8a) May 10, 2011. 36-96 80-100 40 frt. Apply fertilizer in a band along the row for best results (Fig. A melon is ripe when the tendril nearest the vine is dry. Cash receipts exceed $50 million. Watermelons need a long season of warm weather, from planting to harvesting, and Texas delivers. If left long enough, the stem will naturally separate from the fruit. Harvest muskmelons when the stem begins to separate from the fruit. Plant the seeds in hills. part 2 of instructions on how to grow giant watermelons in Texas. When to Plant Vegetables in Fort Worth, Texas. What watermelons need in Texas is the opposite of a mound: They need a basin. h��n�8�_��-��$PHҤ�n�u�(r��t�֖\I���w��c��)n�"�B�7�PJ{�0e� �8�N�]2��^1�X�� Whether you plant in raised beds or in the ground, work compost into the soil at the rate of 50-100 pounds per 1000 square feet to … Hea… 5). Do you have a question -or- need to contact an expert? Give plants a … For this reason they are not well suited to small gardens and should be grown only in lot-size gardens in urban areas or larger gardens in rural areas. Most melons require 80 to 100 days from planting to harvest. Melon plants break through the soil 10 to 12 days after planting. Place the rows of muskmelons and honeydews 6 to 8 feet apart, rows of irrigated watermelons 10 to 12 feet apart, and rows of un-irrigated watermelons 12 to 16 feet apart. Melons can be served many ways, but they are usually sliced and served fresh. This is called “full slip.” Fruit at this stage should be used within 36 to 48 hours as it will spoil soon. Melons are vining crops that require a lot of space, especially watermelons. 479 0 obj <>stream Frank J. Dainello, Extension Horticulturist ... How to Grow … Poor pollination causes female flowers to fall off the vines or fruits to be poorly shaped, which is a common problem with watermelon (Fig. When to Plant Texas gardening for the spring/summer begins earlier than the northern sections of the country. I have two plants in this little area with bush beans. 2). Melon plants have separate male and female flowers on each plant, and bees must be present to cross-pollinate the flowers. Melons most commonly grown in Texas include honeydew, muskmelon and watermelon. Plant watermelon seeds at the last sign of winter; when there is no more chance of frost. Aggie Horticulture Network > Vegetable Resources > Watermelons > Suggested Watermelon Varieties for Texas Suggested Watermelon Varieties for Texas. 426 0 obj <> endobj Tomatoes, peppers, squash, … Muskmelon can improve in flavor after harvest, but this is caused by mellowing of the flesh. In Luling, Texas, the watermelon is so popular that the town celebrates with an annual four day festival called the Watermelon Thump , which includes fun activities such as seed spitting, watermelon … The seeds can be started indoors up to three weeks before planting in the garden; do not start sooner … Rotating crops is very important in disease control. Insect or other damage often makes another thinning unnecessary. Warmer soil helps … Timing for all planting is based on first and last frost dates. Figure 7. If you live where you have a shorter growing season, it’s a good idea to start your seeds indoors. Make a trench on the planting bed 4 to 6 inches deep and 2 inches from the side of the row. Heavier soils require higher ridges. Statewide economic impacts exceed $160 million. Make the second fertilizer application to the side of the row when vines begin to run. Plant in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Muskmelons can be grown in small gardens if the vines are trellised and the fruit is supported (Fig. Texas is one of the largest producers of watermelon in the U.S. and has a long history of growing and eating watermelons. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory, Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences. Melons are warm-season crops and are easily injured by frost. Squash does not grow well in cool weather. Place the hills 2 to 3 feet apart for muskmelon and honeydew and 4 to 5 feet apart for watermelon (Fig. 1). Figure 1. Watermelon seeds should be planted outdoors in the spring well after all threats of frost have passed. To produce the sugar necessary for sweet fruit, the melons need hot weather. Plant … Use a knife to cut watermelons from the vine. … Muskmelons are often mistakenly called cantaloupes, but the true cantaloupe is a small, warty fruit and is not usually grown in the United States. 6). Transplant them into the garden before the second true leaf opens (Fig. Black plastic mulch can increase the soil temperature, giving melons an earlier start on growth. EAST TEXAS VEGETABLE PLANTING GUIDE . Production Regions Watermelons are grown in nearly half the counties in Texas. Do not plant seeds until the soil warms in the spring and all danger of frost is past. K��X�\�Z��Bm)l��8'GK����py�!���DL�2��0��RIv�/&�t ���,V3̾���P��h'�. One method of support for melons grown on a trellis. Watermelons grow best in soil with a pH between 6.0-7.5. Seeds require soil temperature above 70° for healthy germination; trying to rush the season by planting in cold soils will result in rotting seeds or stunted, slow-growing plants. Over 42,000 acres are grown throughout Texas … For a good fall crop, plant early so squash will mature before the first killing frost. ����u��2p�(i9 V �h� ���X� � d�����;'�W㱆� Change in color of rind. d�a'y�d�\g�a^eϧYY��Bf�1�'rG�5�B@����5��8\��� However, directly sowing them is … Pruning also increases the size of muskmelon fruits, but usually it is not needed. Learn How to grow melons and watermelons in Houston. Inches of ... Watermelon (transplant seeds) March 15 ----- ½ oz. For watermelons, apply a fertilizer high in phosphorous, such as 10-10-10, at a rate of 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet (60 to 90 feet of row). endstream endobj 427 0 obj <>/Metadata 51 0 R/Pages 424 0 R/StructTreeRoot 83 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences<>>> endobj 428 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/Properties<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 429 0 obj <>stream In warmer climates with long growing seasons, sow seeds directly outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your last frost date, as long as the soil temperature has warmed to at least 70°F (21°C). Melons do best with small amounts of fertilizer in two or three applications. But in the summer of 2012, I harvested about a dozen sweet, juicy watermelons from one 4-by-8-foot bed. When I plant, I start out by using a 5 gallon bucket each of aged cow or horse manure, compost, and garden soil. 1). Judging the ripeness of watermelons requires skill and experience. "����?�� &��H+0��� &���?��ֵ,�Dr��b�A��s��˷D�J�MK���l�D �d���E���;��?�D&FFK���J�g`�|` ��� If organic matter or manure is added, it should be well composted. Spring temperatures in Houston are the perfect growing weather for the watermelon plant, and the fruit that … Watermelons and melons are summer crops. I mix together to form a mound about 12″ high and about 18″ round. In general, the bigger the watermelon variety, the longer it will take to reach maturity. 0 Planting Watermelons The ideal date to plant watermelons varies according to the climate of the region. Texas Gardening; watermelon; watermelon. I planted a watermelon plant. Turn the soil over so all organic matter is covered completely. Do not harvest melons too early because the sugar content does not increase after harvest. In Texas, the watermelon season is from June to August. 4). 3). Ripe melons often lose their glossy color. Apply fertilizer in a band along the row. Then in each hill I plant … They can also be used in fruit salads or salsas, in melon sorbet, or even in a watermelon margarita. In warmer climates, like Texas and the hotter areas of California, planting time for watermelons is December through early July, although April through July is more common. OK, my first try at watermelon. Death or drying of the tendril. Fertilize muskmelons and honeydews with 2 to 3 pounds of fertilizer for every 60 to 70 feet of row. Download a printer-friendly version of this page: Melons, View this publication in Spanish: Cómo cultivar melones. Your vegetable planning guide for Fort Worth, Texas. 458 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<1596652058104E6EAC9BB36C13029A09>]/Index[426 54]/Info 425 0 R/Length 141/Prev 684856/Root 427 0 R/Size 480/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream The spot where the melon rests on the soil takes on a creamy, streaked color. pt��r������xsٶ���`z��.��.��3���~L�|�_���Oc�b��{�|��q��O����{��U?�5�6��tz��Q�l�O���� TӴ`�c: This is the most dependable sign (Fig. Muskmelons can be grown in small gardens if the vines are trellised and the fruit is supported (Fig. Tri-County Producer and Landowner Symposium, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc8xY2YuOfM. Plant seeds in peat pots 2 to 4 weeks before transplanting. Figure 3. Watermelons are the state’s largest annual horticultural crop. h�bbd```b``v�S�l�. h�b``�d``������5�A��X��,+�Kn``�8���5PYA^�%A^��5Z��/D��o``��h`Hb� Proper spacing of hills is important. Melons grow best on a deep, well drained, sandy or sandy loam soil with plenty of organic matter. L�$?,�ԣ�p�%k~RJ6k����1��մ�:qTV��d6�7����[���^�-3�a� �ZY&��e�1� Submitted by Theresa on October 31, 2016 - 1:14am. Apply manure or compost at 50 to 100 pounds per 1,000 square feet, or about 2 to 4 tons per acre, to build the organic matter content of the soil. One of the keys to grow watermelons successfully – starting them off in a mix of compost, manure and soil. FALL Planting date: SEED or PLANT per 100 feet . Always follow cautions, warnings and directions. Our work makes a difference, in the lives of Texans and on the economy. The tendril near the point where the melon is attached to the vine dries when ripe. Watch Reply. Black plastic mulch can increase the soil temperature, giving … Since melons require well-drained soils, work the soil into ridges or hills 4 to 8 inches high and 12 to 14 inches wide for planting. Do not plant seeds until the soil warms in the spring and all danger of frost is past. More. On the other hand, Georgia’s watermelon season starts at the end of July and ends at the … Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70° F or above. Figure 5. For this reason they are not well suited to small gardens and should be grown only in lot-size gardens in urban areas or larger gardens in rural areas. Melons need bees to cross-pollinate the flowers. This is definitely true for Texas, California and Georgia. You can start seedlings inside, in Houston around early March … Cover the fertilizer and plant so seeds do not touch the fertilizer. 7). One hundred (100) percent of the state’s watermelon production goes to the fresh market. When hoeing, be careful not to cut too deeply into the soil near the melon plants, or the roots will be damaged.
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