The seedlings are typically planted on mounds (three to a mound) spaced 2 feet apart in rows 6 feet apart. Time to Germination. 1121 Main Street | P.O. Then you have watermelons that are smaller in size and weigh anywhere from 2 to 4 pounds. Cut the seed potatoes into pieces weighing about 2 ounces. If crop rotation is not possible, Extension professionals recommend planting watermelons with the most disease resistance possible. Instead, water just at the base of the watermelon stems. Alabama Vegetable Garden Planting Chart Testing at least every 3 years is a good idea. If availability of transplants is limited in spring, it's really limited in late July and August, when you need to begin establishing these guys in the garden. Would I have better results if I culled back to one per vine? Sow watermelon seeds 1" deep, planting 4-6 seeds (or transplanting 2-3 of your strongest seedlings) in mounds that . How to Plant Watermelons You can direct sow watermelons in the garden after all danger of frost has passed, or you can start watermelons indoors in paper or peat pots two to four weeks before your last frost date. Sow seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep outdoors or 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in seed-starting pots indoors. Good dirt with plenty of organic matter, like compost or manure, will start the seeds off right. The biggest consideration with a dry climate is that watermelons need plenty of water. Grow them in a sunny spot that has fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Both male and female blooms can be seen on a same vine. Learn more about. Row coverings are an option for protecting young plants from the cold in environments with lower average temperatures. A juicy piece of watermelon on a hot summer day is a dream come true. I found this works with all melons. There are many other good cultivars that are worthy of trial in the home garden. Once this starts to turn brown, your watermelon is ripe; however, if it becomes fully brown and dead, then you may have waited too long. These planting dates are for Central Alabama. 6 Professional Pieces of Advice for Growing Watermelons 1. These planting dates are for Central Alabama. When to plant spinach in alabama? Cantaloupes are vining plants and need room to spread, but they can also . Lime and Fertilizer. (Note: Rhodes doesnt like this method because it can ruin the quality of thefruit.). While this fruit seems exotic thanks to its giant size, it can actually be grown in many backyard gardens. The fruit is often orange in color, although it can also be green. If direct seeding outdoors, sow 4 to 6 seeds per hill, eventually thinning to 2 to 3seedlings. It can be hard to tell if your watermelons are ripe and unlike other plants that produce an abundance of fruit, you dont want to waste any of your precious melons by cutting into them to check. They can also be planted in May or in June for a later harvest. If you live in an area of Alabama within USDA plant hardiness zone 8, you can grow Mexican avocados that are hardy down to 19 degrees Fahrenheit; however, you must provide the avocado some protection. I want to find a watermelon that i grew up on before they started this seedless no taste watermelon .. Probably not a good time to plant watermelon. For zones nine and above, the growing season starts mid-March. When to Plant Watermelons In cool climates with short growing seasons, start seeds indoors 2 to 3 weeks before your last frost date. Visit www.aces.edu/directory. What melon is that, In reply to watermelons by kathy taylor (not verified). The vines produce both male and female flowers. 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. This creates a barrier between the soggy dirt and the delicate fruit so that it doesnt rot. And now is the ideal time for a fall planting. Its possible to start planting as early as March if you live in a warmer environment. Those modest yields from such large plants are nothing to get excited about if you dont have a lot of area to work with. Row coverings will protect the plants from the numerous insect pests that are drawn to watermelons. They often begin producing male flowers several weeks before the females appear. Use a 33-0-0 fertilizer at the rate of pound (227 g.) per every 50 feet (15 m.) of the watermelon row. It is a warm loving plant, and is simple to direct sow outdoors. This medium-sized, 8-13 lb. Seeds for corn, squash, cucumbers and the various beans and melons can now be planted. Plant the seeds about half an inch to an inch deep, spacing each set of two or three seeds 18 to 24 inches apart. The levels of moisture, sunshine, and heat in the environment all have a significant role in determining success. An echo sound or hollow sound not ripe. Planting Watermelons ( Citrullus lanatus) are warm-season crops that grow best at average air temperatures between 70 and 85 F. Summer Squash (Zucchini) Summer squash and zucchini like well-composted soil and need plenty of space (plant them 3 to 6 feet apart in warm soil and lots of sun.). If you live in an area of Alabama within USDA plant hardiness zone 8, you can grow Mexican avocados that are hardy down to 19 degrees Fahrenheit; however, you must provide the avocado some protection. If the garden is heavily infested with nematodes, either move the garden or heat the soil through a process called soil solarization. All Rights Reserved. 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. (205) 669-9205 Read more. The roots need warmth in the ground to ensure rapid growth. Please review ourPrivacy Statementfor more information. It is absolutely necessary to have a steady supply of water in order to cultivate enormous watermelons with a rich flavor; for the best results, use a soaker hose or drip irrigation. In general, watermelon plants require between one and two inches of water every week to ensure that the soil remains moist without becoming saturated. Disease Control. While you might be excited to have multiple watermelons grow, its best to limit each vine to just two melons, so that they get the bulk of the nutrients. Watermelons require full sunlight in order to thrive. While watermelons love warm climates, if you have a longer winter, you can still try your hand at this delicious fruit. What planting zone is Tuscaloosa Alabama? Grow them in a sunny spot that has fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. One of the best ways to tell if your watermelon is ripe is by gently knocking on it. Plant the seeds of the watermelon in a potting mix that does not include any dirt. Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. 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. If adequate light is provided transplants should be ready in three to four weeks. Look at the color on the bottom. Use only stocky, healthy, fresh plants. It does not matter what kind of plant you intend to cultivate in your containers as long as you place them in a spot where they will be exposed to at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Tuscaloosa, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a. A small part seems to be in a dip and will have problems with light freezes. Sow 3-4 seeds 1 inch deep, 4-5 feet apart. When To Plant Watermelons In Alabama? The Extension office can explain how to take soil samples and answer questions concerning the soil test results. Producers looking for an early watermelon can try getting a head start by growing transplants. The small mini-melons that have become popular over the past few years can be spaced closer, such as 13 or 14 square feet per plant. It is important to us that we deliver seasonally fresh plants to your area. These little beetles might be yellow and black striped or dotted, and they are particularly fond of feeding on new seedlings and flowers. Their roots are very fragile, so try not to disturb the soil when removing them frompots. I thump with 2nd or long finger). Can you plant tomatoes in July in Alabama? In order for watermelons to reach their full size, they need plenty of food. Watermelon seeds germinate easily and quickly, and seedlings dont usually transplant well, so theres no need to start them in a pot or seed tray. This palm can be grown in states like Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon and Texas. However, after flowering begins, use a fertilizer with less nitrogen to instead encourage flowers and fruit. The best time to plant watermelon seeds is from late spring to early summer, or when the soil temperature reaches 70 degrees or above. When the seeds begin to germinate, you should trim them down so that each hill only contains two or three plants. Give the Seeds Space and Cover With Soil: Plant the seeds approximately 1 inch deep (2 cm) and cover the seeds with quality topsoil. Wait until there is no danger of frost and the soil reaches 70 degrees Fahrenheit before planting. In-ground gardens and raised beds are both excellent options for growing onions. Watermelons can be stored uncut for about 10 days. Use cold frames for tender, cool-season vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Swiss chard, lettuce, mustard, onions, radishes, and turnips. Dont bother to plant before the soil and air temperatures have warmed up above this point in spring or early summer because the seeds and plants simply wont grow. Everyone seems to love juicy watermelon in the summertime. Cooperative Extension System operates as the primary outreach organization If youre in the middle of a particularly cool spring, simply wait and let your seedlings grow inside for longer. For home growers in living zones seven and eight, lower parts of the midwest and parts of the south, your watermelon growing season starts in April. This will guarantee that your plants have adequate room to grow.2. The trick is to wait until the really hot weather has passed, but not wait too long or the plants won't have time to mature before the cold and dark of midwinter. This might be a challenge when planting watermelons. Water seeds into the hills after planting. In addition to plenty of nutrients, watermelons need a lot of water. Select the site carefully, plant at the correct time, use the right amount of fertilizer, use adapted varieties, and control pests. Water is essential for a top-notch garden. Plant these after there is no longer a chance of frost occurring; they are very tender. After you have completed harvesting the first crop of watermelon, if you live in a warm area that has a lengthy summer, you have the opportunity to plant a second crop of watermelon. Growers already know how much nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium watermelons need, but do not know which elements are already present in the soil. Set the seeds into the soil about an inch deep. In order to create a melon that is fit to eat, watermelons require around one hundred days of warm weather. Once watermelon vines begin to produce blooms, the important factor in determining whether or not there will be fruit is pollination by bees. Cantaloupe and muskmelon both contain fruit that is juicy, netted skin, and a strong scent. Spacing. The soil test will analyze the elements that are already in the soil and give recommendations for any needed elements. Early planting will miss some insects, but usually, youll have to use insecticides. Arbequina, says Powell, is ideally suited to Alabama because it is cold hardy through zone 7, can handle the heat in the southern part of the state and is self-fruiting, so it does not require cross pollination from another olive variety to produce fruit. The seedlings need to be kept warm and wet until the external temperatures remain regularly above 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. You can move the new ones out of your way. Watermelons require full sunlight in order to thrive. This watermelon has a crisp, sweet red flesh is seedless with an excellent flavor. Growing the vines in raised rows, known as hills, ensures good drainage and will hold the suns heat longer. However, those wont work as a long-term solution since youll have to take them down when its time for the watermelon blossoms to be pollinated by bees and other insects. Weed Control. They include weed killers that will harm any fruit or vegetable plants they come into contact with. 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