The soil should be well drained and free of harmful chemicals, oil, ashes, mortar, etc. Plant outside 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. Freeze or can the surplus if you want to enjoy your garden all year. Then, in April, plant the warm-season crops: beans, cucumbers, eggplants, okra, peppers, squash and tomatoes. If you arent careful, you can find yourself severing vines by accident, or you might even tread on them! Custom programming and server maintenance by Reinvented Inc. Safer insecticidal soaps will help control aphids and other soft-bodied insects early on. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Planting vegetable seeds or transplants at the correct time is important to getting the most out of your garden. An echo sound or hollow sound not ripe. Those who enjoy eating watermelon will be pleased to hear that. Plant watermelon seeds in the garden when the soil temperature reaches 70F (21C), usually 2 to 4 weeks after the last frost in spring. Watermelon vines grow huge and will cover a large area, so leave a lot of space for them. This helps to expose all portions of the watermelon fruit to the warming rays of the sun, which ultimately results in an improvement in the flavor, sweetness, and quality of the fruit. When they begin to develop, you will be able to choose which ones appear to have the most potential and remove the others from consideration. You should adjust the planting dates relative to your particular area, and the specific variety of vegetables going into your garden. It is common to see watermelon rows spaced 6 feet apart with plants spaced 42- to 60-inches in the row. Don't let the mound dry out, don't move the long vines. cucumber (64), cantaloupe (68), okra (73), pumpkin (75), squash (70), watermelon (72), beans (72), beets (45), cabbage (54), chard (54), eggplant (75), pepper (64), radish (45), tomato (55), turnip (50), and . In addition to plenty of nutrients, watermelons need a lot of water. These charts were created as a guideline, a starting point if you will. Peppers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, eggplants and parsley can now be planted all over the state. I found this works with all melons. Press on it. 1121 Main Street | P.O. However, after flowering begins, use a fertilizer with less nitrogen to instead encourage flowers and fruit. Seeds for corn, squash, cucumbers and the various beans and melons can now be planted. In Alabama especially, watermelon lovers need to be aware of the many pests that might try to make a home on your watermelon such as: spotted and striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs and aphids. Everyone is welcome! Look at the color on the bottom. Allow transplants 7-10 days to harden off before putting them in the garden. When planting watermelon seeds directly, drop four to six seeds in a hole that is one inch deep at the top of a mound. Plant type: fast-growing herbaceous annual creeping/running "vine". Native to Africa, melons require warm temperaturesand a long growing season. One may also ask,can you grow watermelons in alabama? After waiting up to 80 days, your watermelons will finally be ready. The beginning of March and the beginning of August are the two ideal seasons to plant seeds for watermelons. Don't worry about weeds or grass, none of that will bother the melons and the more cover they have the more likely they will grow. We like to use a seaweed-basedfertilizer. Water the fertilizer in well. Start Indoors (in fall): 112 to 151 days before the first frost date. Melons grow on sprawling vines and do not ripen effectively when grown in cramped quarters. Plant the newly separated offshoot in its own pot and water the soil thoroughly. Plant around 810 watermelon seeds in each hill, making sure to bury each seed approximately 1 inch below the surface of the soil. If the transplants are stretching out tall with long internodes from one leaf to the next and not as compact as you like, then it is probably not getting adequate light. Do not start watermelon seeds too early, as huge plants transplant poorly into the garden; once planted, watermelons do not like to have their roots disturbed. It is important to us that we deliver seasonally fresh plants to your area. However, they can be grown in the right circumstances. Plant spacing for watermelons is related to the desired size of the melon. How Many Watermelons per Plant? Sow 6-8 seeds per hill, later thinning to 3-4 plants per hill. Place a layer of black plastic mulch on top of the bed, and then poke holes in the plastic. Cut the seed potatoes into pieces weighing about 2 ounces. Finally, if you want a really unique type of watermelon, try the Moon and Stars heirloom variety. For more information, contact your county Extension office. After waiting up to 80 days, your watermelons will finally be ready. Plant onions in early spring once the ground is workable. When to Plant Watermelon in Florida. Grow them in a sunny spot that has fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Copyright 2022 Home Life Answers All Rights Reserved Noveladd. Find the best dates for planting and transplanting vegetables, herbs, and fruit! These little beetles might be yellow and black striped or dotted, and they are particularly fond of feeding on new seedlings and flowers. Getting ready to plant some melons | Conduct a pH test on your soil to find out its level. To control weeds, use a mulch. How Many Watermelons per Plant? The area chosen for collard greens planting should be in full sun. You can also trim side vines, again to promote growth on the melons that are already there. Can you plant tomatoes in July in Alabama? The earliest time to plant tomatoes in Alabama is in April, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Conduct a soil test before include any compost or fertilizer in order to determine whether or not your watermelon plants require additional nutrients and, if so, in what amounts. All Rights Reserved. If its half-dead, the watermelon is nearly ripe or ripe. If youre growing in traditional rows, space them at least 6feetapart. So, if you are in Alabama planting zone 7a, any plant rated 1 through 7a will likely be fine growing there. Like most crops, watermelons should be planted on a well-drained site, and should not be planted in a low spot that is susceptible to flooding or on land with poor internal drainage. Watermelons are 90%water. Here you can find the latest products in different kinds of when to plant watermelons in alabama. No guarantee, endorsement, or discrimination among comparable products is intended or implied by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Read and heed it for effective use and safety. There are many other good cultivars that are worthy of trial in the home garden. To remove the seeds, brush your hand over the seed head, knocking out the seeds. The earliest that you can plant watermelon in Zone 7b is April . Watermelons require full sunlight in order to thrive. Plant the seeds of the watermelon in a potting mix that does not include any dirt. This palm tree can also withstand large temperature fluctuations. Instead of characteristic stripes, these melons have tiny yellow spots a few large yellow spots against a dark green skin. apart for adequate room in the rows. Spacing: 3 to 4 feet between plants and 5 to 6 feet between rows. Work it into the soil in the late fall. This content printed from the website located at. Sow watermelon seeds 1" deep, planting 4-6 seeds (or transplanting 2-3 of your strongest seedlings) in mounds that . It is beneficial to conduct soil testing in the late summer and apply any needed lime when planting cover crops. Is it too late to plant a garden in Alabama? Sow seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep outdoors or 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in seed-starting pots indoors. The label is one of the most important pieces of garden literature available. Be on the lookout for cucumber beetle infestations. 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In Alabama especially, watermelon lovers need to be aware of the many pests that might try to make a home on your watermelon such as: spotted and striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs and aphids. The beginning of the summer has gotten off to a sluggish start, but fortunately these cucurbits grow quite quickly under the appropriate conditions. Lime and Fertilizer. Out of the 44 states that produce watermelons, Texas is one of only five states that consistently leads watermelon production in the U.S. At "John T Lyo" you can pick: Blueberries. Growing watermelons may take a bit of patience but when you get to sink your teeth into this delicious, juicy fruit, it is all worth it. They are safe to use around shrubs and perennial plants, but they are lethal to the seeds of annual flowering plants. Melons like watermelons require their room. They must be exposed to at least six hours of direct sunshine every day and must be grown in full sun. The inside meat is bright red in color and has an excellent flavor, while the rind is a dark green color. One fan favorite is Sugar Baby. The number of days will vary depending on cultivar (some mature earlier than others), temperature, and general growing conditions. If crop rotation is not possible, Extension professionals recommend planting watermelons with the most disease resistance possible. The scientific name for watermelon is Citrullus lanatus. Choose a patch of your garden that is in full sun. Each seed piece must have at least one good bud or eye. Planted vine crops like watermelons in small hills about a foot wide. John T Lyo Wilsonville, AL, 35186. Time to Germination. ), Choosing Tomato Varieties for Your Garden, In cool climates with short growing seasons, start seeds indoors 2 to 3 weeks before your, In warmer climates with long growing seasons, sow seeds directly outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your. Planting Watermelon for Best Results Plant watermelons in light loam to sandy-loam soil; avoid planting in heavy or clay soil. Climate: tropical, sub-tropical; warm and . Irrigation. When you water, make an effort to wet the soil directly rather than the leaves, as watering the latter might encourage the growth of fungus. Check catalogs for individual maturity time. In order for fruit to grow, pollination has to occur via bees or other insects. Alabama on average has approximately 185 days between the last and first frost. Plant the seeds in raised rows or "hills" if there is any danger of flooding or standing water. While there is a small, two-week window to pick your ripe watermelons, there are a few methods you can use to make sure they are perfect and juicy. The roots need warmth in the ground to ensure rapid growth. Water well with seaweed emulsion after planting. There is no other kind of watermelon that performs as well as Bush Sugar Baby watermelons when it comes to growing watermelons in containers. Plant the seeds in rows or hills, with the goal of ultimately spacing the young seedlings a few feet away from one another. The watermelon is ripe when there is little contrast between thestripes. When the vines of the watermelon have reached a length of 6 to 8 inches, add a layer of organic mulch that is 1 to 2 inches thick all the way around the plant to prevent weed growth and to keep the soil wet. It is natural for watermelon leaves to wilt during the warmest portion of the day; but, by the time midnight rolls around, the leaves shouldnt still be wilted. Select the site carefully, plant at the correct time, use the right amount of fertilizer, use adapted varieties, and control pests. (Show F/in) Space plants: 60 - 75 cm apart Harvest in 12-17 weeks. Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70 F or above. (May take big hands and fingers for true results). While watermelons love warm climates, if you have a longer winter, you can still try your hand at this delicious fruit. Space plants about 2 feet apart in a 5-foot-wide hill. In such case, your plants are suffering from a lack of water.5. I set the melon level and lay the straw across it on the highest part of the melon. Our free planting guide calculates the best dates for sowing seeds indoors and outdoors, and for transplanting seedlings into the gardenall customized to your location. Published at 7:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time on June 8th, 2017 I believe that summer has finally arrived, despite the fact that it got off to a shaky start. This palm can be grown in states like Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon and Texas. Have you ever cultivated watermelons with any degree of success? Planting Guide for Home Gardening in Alabama. Production in Alabama Watermelon production is divided between the southern and northern portions of the state. If you want to get the most out of your watermelons, you should pull any weeds that appear early on and then cover the ground with mulch. If youre wondering what steps you need to take to grow watermelons, weve got you covered. Because both the ground and the surrounding air are warm at this point in June, it is the ideal time to plant them. After a couple of weeks you can resume a regular watering schedule. Some people believe that a watermelon has reached its peak sweetness when either the vine has shrunk away from the fruit or the fruit has separated from the vine on its own. In containers warm climates, if you have a longer winter, you can still try your hand over state! 60-Inches in the late fall plants and 5 to 6 feet apart in a hill! 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