August 22, 2024

On a Hot Day Everyone Needs Water. But Watermelon Is Better!

By Aaron Laird
On a Hot Day Everyone Needs Water. But Watermelon Is Better!

Here are some tips on starting and growing big sweet watermelons:

  1. Choose the right variety: There are many varieties of watermelon to choose from, so choose one that is known for producing large, sweet fruit. Look for varieties like Charleston Gray, Crimson Sweet, or Jubilee and more here https://clearwatervalleyfarms.com/shop/ols/categories/melons.
  2. Start seeds indoors: Watermelon seeds can be started indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. This will give the plants a head start and allow them to produce fruit earlier in the season. Use a seed-starting mix and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.
  3. Provide plenty of sunlight: Watermelon plants need full sun to grow and produce fruit. Choose a sunny spot in your garden and avoid planting near trees or other large plants that may shade the watermelon plants.
  4. Water regularly: Watermelon plants need plenty of water to grow and produce large fruit. Water deeply once a week, or more often during hot, dry weather.
  5. Fertilize regularly: Watermelon plants are heavy feeders and require regular fertilization to produce big, sweet fruit. Use a balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks throughout the growing season.
  6. Provide support: As the watermelon vines grow, they may become heavy and require support. Use trellises or other structures to support the vines and prevent them from breaking under the weight of the fruit.
  7. Thin the fruit: Watermelon plants may produce more fruit than they can support, which can result in smaller, less sweet fruit. Thin the fruit to allow the remaining fruit to grow larger and sweeter.
  8. Harvest at the right time: Watermelons are ready to harvest when the stem near the fruit turns brown and the fruit sounds hollow when tapped. Cut the fruit from the vine with a sharp knife and enjoy your big, sweet watermelons!

You can grow amazing, big, sweet watermelon that everyone will enjoy this summer using these tips.  You can find individual packs of watermelon seeds at Clearwater Valley Farms, where all of our seeds are heirloom varieties.  You can also save money by purchasing our Melon Lovers Collection at Clearwater Valley Farms here https://clearwatervalleyfarms.com/shop/ols/products/melon-lovers-collection-regular-packs.

Happy Gardening!

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