I was wanting to know if there was an tips, such as soil conditioning, fertilizing, and etc. to growing big watermelons? Thanks
First, you need seeds of a variety capable of getting big. Then you need deep, rich soil and FULL sunlight all day long. Plenty of water at regular intervals. Remember if you grow anything over 50-60 lbs you should have a wooden pallet for it to grow on or else how will you move it when it's done?
Thanks rockhound. I know this might be an old wives tale but is it true that you have to wait a few years before growing watermelons in the same spot again? Also does it help any to cover the vines with dirt as they grow?
Don't cover the vines with dirt...not a good idea, as they won't root in that spot that is covered, only make is susceptible to insect and disease damage and you can plant them in the same spot for a few years, if you have no other options. I would recommend amending the soil with a good dressing of well aged manure or compost when you do, though.
Thanks carolyn. My dad and i have been trying to grow big, sweet watermelons for a two or three years now. I remember when we first planted some which were charleston gray and jubilee. He would pick on me cause as soon as i would see the little stem turn brown i would pick em. So that meant we would end up sometimes with up to 8 or 10 watermelons for that day to have to cut and check with only two or three being actually ready. i'm glad i've gotten more patient and less trigger happy lol.
Brent, there is a curly q next to the stem the watermelon is attached with, wait until that is brown/withered/dry and the bottom of the melon should be a nice yellow. Also mark your calender when you think they should be getting ready. If the mature date is 70 days, count from the time you plant 70 days ahead on your calender. that way you aren't missing or questioning are they ready yet? (I missed a whole patch of cantaloupe a couple years ago because I was waiting on the netting to turn brown and it didn't. It was a variety called Primo and one of the best I ever tasted. what a waste! (So it is always a good thing to keep your garden calender marked) We have always grown Sangria and crimson beauty for reliable varieties, too. Not sure if your climate is a good fit for them, but if it is try them also. At the end of the season, like two weeks before they are to be ripe, we also foliar feed and irrigate with an epsoms salt solution. (I think it was 2 Tablespoons/gal water) This will also help to make sweeter fruit. (all kinds, too, by the way)
I've always wanted to do this as well, but no space I've herd sandy soil is good for watermelons, any truth to this?
What do you consider "big" ? I grow 5 or 6 varieties every year,, and yes,,in the same spot. If the watermelons like it there, why move them? I do add some horse manure yearly, And our property is deep sugar sand. 30 to 50 lbs is not unusual but of course most range in the 20 to 25 lbs range. As for a variety meant to grow big, 60 lbs + I recommend Carolina Cross. Seeds are reasonably priced on ebay. To get the really huge ones, you have to keep it watered at regular intervals but remember they are dry weather plants so don`t over do the water. They kind of like it a bit dry. I never water mine and leave nature to do it for me. I still have watermelons stacked like cordwood each year. Worst thing you can do is kill them with kindness.
They dont have to be contest big lol. I would just like them to grow to the size they're suppose to grow to or atleast close to it and be ripe. Last year many of the watermelons we pulled that had brown stems were still small and unripe. And i dont know why that was happening?
Its pretty rich soil. We used to have a few cows and one or two horses on it and the rest of the pasture.
NC Weeks has a giantism seed rack that shows up at a lot of stores about now. Big watermellon, big cantalope, big punkins etc; grow on big vines. Near to (or on top of) a big hill of manure. And need big water. Thin fruit to one or two per vine. Stand back and let 'em rip!
You might consider adding some sand to the mix. A good sandy loam if you can find it. We have deep sugar sand so its not too rich and I do not use commercial fertilizer on it !! Watermelons for some reason ( i think its because they are dry weather plants) do best in sand. We are in Texas and you know what the drought last year was like. Nothing grew well to speak of except the watermelons. They are a football field away from a water, hose so no watering them. But a heavy dew perked them up and they produced like crazy. If you water them, just do it as it is absolutely necessary. Then leave them alone. When that curly Q is completely dry, and the bottom that touches the soil is white, thump them. It should sound a bit hollow. And even then another week or two is not going to be too long to wait before cutting the vine.
