How to Grow Watermelon in a Raised Bed

What is a summer without biting into a juicy slice of fresh watermelon? No picnic or party can pass by without having a platter of watermelon to refresh you on a hot day. You surely know these juicy refreshers from a supermarket can simply not compare to those that you can grow in your backyard.

Growing the most flavorful and sweet watermelons is easier than you might think. All you need is a seed, well-drained soil where you will grow your plants, and some water and sun. Join us as we discuss how to grow watermelon in your garden from seed can be lots of fun. We’ll also tell you how long you will have to wait until you can enjoy them.

When and Where to Plant Watermelons

In warmer regions, it's usually best to sow seeds in late spring or early summer. In colder regions, you can choose to plant during the warm period from late spring to early summer or start seeds indoors and transplant them outdoors in raised planter boxes.

Watermelon plants like to "simmer" in the sun, so find an area that receives full sun all day. A growing watermelon needs rich, sandy, and well-drained soil, preferably with a pH level between 6.0 and 6.5. Also, always check your soil for nutrients to see if you need to add compost or fertilizer.

Once the soil temperature reaches above 65°F, you can start sowing watermelon seeds to plant directly in the prepared garden bed. Because the juicy melons grow on spreading vines and each produces 2 to 3 large and heavy fruits, you may want to set aside plenty of garden space. What does this mean? This means every plant will require a free area of up to 20 square feet.

Watermelon Growing Stages

The growth stages of watermelon can be divided into the following main phases:

Germination: About 7–10 days after sowing. During the seedling stage, to increase germination rates and seedling growth speed, place seedling trays in a greenhouse for optimal conditions.
Seedling: About 2–3 weeks after germination. During this period, seedlings start growing and develop true leaves. Pay attention to pest control, provide sufficient light, and maintain optimal temperatures.
Vine Elongation: About 3–4 weeks after the seedling stage ends. Vines grow rapidly and begin to spread out. Prune side vines appropriately and ensure adequate light to promote the growth of the main vine.
Flowering: About 3–4 weeks after the vine elongation stage ends. Watermelons begin to flower, forming primarily female and male flowers. Pay attention to pollination, and consider manual pollination to increase fruit set rates.
Fruit Development: About 35–45 days after flowering. Once pollination succeeds, fruits start to form and enlarge rapidly. Ensure sufficient water and nutrient supply to prevent fruit cracking or poor development.
Maturity: About 35–45 days after the fruit development stage ends. Fruits gradually mature, with deeper skin color, a clearer texture, and sweeter flesh. Control water levels to prevent over-irrigation, which can lead to fruit cracking. Assess maturity and harvest at the appropriate time.

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How Long Does It Take for Watermelon to Grow

With proper care and ideal growing conditions, it will take a watermelon around 80 to 100 days to mature.

Proper care for a growing watermelon will result in getting the best-tasting fruits you can imagine. This also means you have to avoid stressing your watermelon plans.

When to harvest the watermelons greatly depends on the variety that you choose. One thing that gardeners find difficult to understand is watermelon maturity. There is a trick that you can try. Look at the bottom of the melon and check if it's cream-colored or bright yellow. This means that the watermelon is ripe and ready to harvest. If the bottom spot is white or pale green, then you should leave it in the sun for a bit longer.

Another way to know when it is ready to be harvested is to look at the curled tendril closest to the melon on the vine. The melon should be ripe once this tendril turns brown and shrivels. Once you harvest the watermelons, you can expect them to last a little over a week if they are kept at room temperature. For those who choose to refrigerate their melons, you will enjoy them for about two weeks.

Growing a Watermelon from Seed

You noticed that watermelons are one of the easiest fruits that you can grow from seeds. It is because they do cross-pollinate. However, it is best to start with purchased watermelon seeds to plant. Considering that the ones you have may sometimes produce different watermelon than you grew last season.

If you live in cool climates with short growing seasons, you should start your watermelon seeds indoors around 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost date. In warmer climates, you can sow them directly outdoors one to two weeks before the last frost date. However, before you do this, double-check that the soil temperature has warmed to at least 65°F.

To start, use a shovel to turn over garden soil in raised garden beds and create a mound that is 8 to 10 inches tall at the peak and around 10 to 12 inches across. This is a good time to put fertilizer into the soil if your test shows that it lacks nutrients.

Afterward, it's time to plant the seeds. Use your index finger and poke three holes that are up to an inch deep around the sides of the mound. Then place a seed in each of these holes and cover it loosely with soil patting it down gently. Use a watering can or a hose with a sprinkler head which is best for initial watering because you want to moist the seeds. Any other watering method will wash them out or flatten your mound.

Watering and Thinning the Seedlings

It is important to keep the soil moist while the germination period of the seed takes place. Otherwise, it will be ruined. A growing watermelon will require approximately 1 to 2 inches of water per plant, but if there isn't sufficient rainfall, you should give your plants some extra watering.

Once the seedlings grow a few inches tall and two sets of true leaves appear, it's time to thin the number of seedlings to one per mound. Once this is done, you have to watch for the vines to produce flower buds.

Conclusion

Once you set your mind on adding watermelons to your garden, you’ll notice that seeds germinate easily and reliably. One fault of watermelons is that they don’t transplant easily. A word of advice is to start early in the season and plant the seeds indoors using biodegradable pots. This way, you can transplant the entire pot containing the seedling without disturbing the plant.

Another thing to be careful about when growing watermelon is common pests and plant diseases. Watermelons are susceptible to several diseases like fusarium and bacterial wilt, anthracnose, and black rot. In terms of insects, you may come across problems with squash bugs, aphids, and striped or spotted cucumber beetles.

Before planting anything, prepare the soil well to ensure your plant will get enough nutrients and become that juicy and sweet mouthwatering watermelon that will be a hit at your next picnic. Need more gardening tips? Head over to our blog section!