Propagate by
seed
Germination temperature: 60 F to 95 F
Days to emergence: 3 to 5
- In very warm (90 F) soil. About 10 days at 70 F.
Seed can be saved 4 years.
If you have long, hot growing seasons direct-seed into garden. To
ensure ripening in areas with shorter growing seasons and cooler
weather, choose fast-maturing, small-fruited cultivars, start plants
inside, and use black or IRT plastic mulch and fabric row covers to
warm soil and protect plants.Direct
seed 1 to 2 weeks after average last frost when soil is 70 F or warmer.
Plant ½ inch deep, 6 seeds per hill, hills 3 feet apart each way for
bush varieties, or 3 feet apart in rows 8 feet apart for vining types.
Thin to 2 to 3 plants per hill.
For transplanting, sow seeds
indoors ¼ inch deep in peat pots (2-inch square or bigger), 2 to 4
weeks before setting out. Set outside 2 weeks after average last frost,
3 plants per hill, hills 3 feet apart each way for bush varieties, or 3
feet apart in rows 8 feet apart for vining types. Transplants are
delicate. Keep soil intact when transplanting.
Mulch plantings after soil has warmed to help maintain consistent moisture and suppress weeds.
If using fabric row covers, remove at flowering to allow pollination by bees. Good pollination is critical to fruit set.
Plants
require consistent moisture until pollination. Once fruit are about the
size of a tennis ball, only water if soil is dry and leaves show signs
of wilting.
To prevent insect damage to developing fruits, place watermelons on pots or pieces of wood.
If
growing melons on a trellis, support fruit with slings made from
netting, fabric, or pantyhose. Trellising improves air circulation
around plants and can help reduce foliar disease problems. Choose
small-fruited varieties and reduce plant spacing.
Avoid planting cucumber family crops (melons, squash, pumpkins) in the same spot two years in a row.
Striped or spotted cucumber beetles - Construct tents of fine netting
or cheesecloth or use floating row cover over young plants. Put in
place at planting and remove at flowering. Control beetles to prevent
bacterial wilt.Aphids
- A hard stream of water can be used to remove aphids from plants. Wash
off with water occasionally as needed early in the day. Check for
evidence of natural enemies such as gray-brown or bloated parasitized
aphids and the presence of alligator-like larvae of lady beetles and
lacewings.
Squash vine borer - Cut open vines and remove by hand.
Squash bugs - Handpick. Bury or compost plant residues after harvest.
Flea
beetles - Use row crop covers to help protect plants from early insect
damage. Put in place at planting and remove at flowering. Control weeds.
Powdery mildew - Avoid wetting plants if possible. Water early in the
day so aboveground plant parts dry as quickly as possible. Avoid
crowding plants. Space apart to allow air circulation. Eliminate weeds
around plants and garden area to improve air circulation.Cucumber
mosaic virus - Remove and destroy infested plants. Control cucumber
beetles and aphids as soon as they appear.
Scab
- Avoid wetting foliage if possible. Water early in day so aboveground
plant parts dry as quickly as possible. Avoid crowding plants. Space
apart for air circulation.
Fusarium wilt - Locate new plants in a part of the garden different from previous year's location. Plant tolerant varieties.
Other diseases:
Anthracnose
Phytophthora
