FAQs
Give watermelon vines plenty of room to roam, which usually means spacing plants 3 to 5 feet apart. After planting, cover seedlings with floating row covers to keep out insects and trap warm air near plants. Watermelon vines bear male and female flowers.
What not to plant next to watermelon? ›
Worst Companion Plants
Because other members of the Cucurbitae family are all attacked by cucumber beetles, planting watermelons next to these crops is not recommended: Cucumbers. Summer squash/zucchini. Pumpkins.
What happens if you plant watermelons too close together? ›
In the case of spacing watermelon plants, those set too far apart waste valuable garden space while those set too close together compete for light, air and soil nutrients, resulting in a potentially compromised crop.
Can cucumbers and watermelon be planted together? ›
Watermelon Companion Plants & Non-Companions
For companion plants, you're going to want to plant it with things like radishes, lettuces & then avoid things like cucumber, zucchini, and basically anything in the melon family. Basically they make it difficult for the plants to grow and mature and can attract diseases.
Do watermelons like a trellis or ground? ›
In addition to saving space, trellising improves air circulation and helps prevent disease. Watermelons rest easy in hammocks. Swelling fruits will definitely need support on the trellis, and an old T-shirt makes a perfect sling. A sling supports the heavy melons as they ripen.
How far apart do you plant watermelon mounds? ›
Plant watermelons outdoors, or if the summer season is shorter, plant them inside up to four weeks before the last frost date. Sow seeds 1 inch deep. Watermelons grow best in mounds, so plant six to eight seeds per mound with mounds space 4 feet apart.
What is a good companion plant with watermelon? ›
Watermelon Companions
Sow cowpeas 3 or 4 weeks before planting watermelon so that both crops will be blooming at the same time. Plant buckwheat, cowpeas, or sweet clover to attract predators of watermelon pests. Interplant with radish, tansy, and nasturtium to discourage cucumber beetles from feeding on watermelons.
What stops watermelon from growing? ›
The main issue with watermelon is pollination even though it produces a large number of male and female flowers. Pollination depends on bees, wasps, etc. In general, if the pollination does not occur, the female flower will grow initially but fall off later (small fruit appear to develop but dry off later).
Can I plant watermelon next to tomatoes? ›
Can You Plant Watermelon Next to Tomatoes? No, tomatoes are considered incompatible to be planted next to watermelons. They are heavy feeders as the favorite summer fruit. In addition, its growth habit can turn into a large bush that can shade the main crop.
How many watermelons can one plant support? ›
How Many Watermelons per Plant? Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. The vines produce both male and female flowers. Both are needed to set fruit and there are fewer female flowers compared to male, about one female for every seven males.
Watermelons grow best in sunny locations and in fertile, well-drained soils. Incorporate organic matter and a complete fertilizer into the area before planting. Plant 4-6 watermelon seeds directly in the garden when soils are 65°F. Seeds should be planted 1-2 inches deep, in mounds 4 feet apart.
How much space does a sugar baby watermelon plant need? ›
These melons need rich, well-draining soil, amended with compost and composted manure. Plant them in an area with at least eight hours of sun exposure per day and account for at least 60 square feet of space per plant.
