Watermelons, with their sprawling vines and large, juicy fruits, bring a sweet and refreshing touch to any garden. These iconic plants are known for their impressive size and vibrant green rinds that encase sweet, red, yellow, or orange flesh. The broad, lobed leaves and bright yellow flowers add to the visual appeal, making watermelons a striking addition to garden beds or spacious containers.

In Florida planting zone 9, watermelons thrive during the warm months, producing large fruits perfect for hot summer days. The fruits develop from small, yellow flowers into sizable, striped, or solid green melons. Watching these hefty fruits grow and mature is a delightful experience, promising a delicious reward for your gardening efforts.

For those new to gardening, watermelons are a fun and rewarding choice. They require ample space and warm weather but can be very productive, offering large, sweet fruits that are perfect for enjoying fresh or in a variety of summer dishes. Watermelons bring a refreshing and hydrating treat to your meals, making your gardening endeavors both enjoyable and fruitful.

I would give watermelons a 3 out of 5 on how easy they are to grow. They require some space and attention to watering, but with the right conditions, they are manageable for beginners.

Explanation:

• Start Seeds Inside: Starting watermelon seeds indoors allows for controlled conditions, ensuring strong seedlings ready for transplanting outdoors.

• Direct Seed: Direct seeding watermelon during the warmer months ensures rapid germination and growth.

• Transplant Starter Plants: Transplanting watermelon starter plants helps them establish quickly in the garden, leading to a productive harvest.

  Bees required for pollination

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• Soil: Watermelons prefer well-drained, sandy loam soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and structure.

• Sun: Full sun is essential for optimal growth and fruit development. Ensure watermelons receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. Reduce watering as the fruits mature to improve sweetness.

• Spacing: Plant watermelon seeds 1 inch deep, spacing them 3-5 feet apart in rows and space rows 6-8 feet apart. Provide a lot of space for the vines to spread.

• Fertilization:
  N-P-K Ratio: Watermelons benefit from a balanced fertilizer with a higher phosphorus and potassium content to support fruit development, such as 5-10-10 or 10-10-20.

  When to Add:

  • Before Planting: Apply the fertilizer to the soil before planting seeds or transplants to promote strong initial growth.

  • Mid-Growing Season: Reapply the fertilizer when the vines begin to run (spread out) and again when flowers start to appear to support continued growth and fruit development.

  Application Tips:

  • Follow the directions on the fertilizer package to avoid over-fertilization.

  • Apply the fertilizer evenly around the base of the plants and water thoroughly to help the nutrients reach the roots.

  Additional Tips:

  • Watermelons grow best in well-drained soil rich in organic matter, so consider adding compost to improve soil fertility and structure.

  • Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

  • Ensure that watermelons receive consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruiting, to prevent stress and promote even growth.

Blog post on Natural Fertilizers

• Support: For smaller varieties like Sugar Baby, consider using trellises to save space and improve air circulation. Support the fruits with slings made of netting or cloth.

• Harvest: Watermelons are ready to harvest when the underside turns a creamy yellow color, and the tendril closest to the fruit dries out and turns brown, typically 60-100 days after planting. Additionally, a ripe watermelon will have a deep, hollow sound.

By selecting the right watermelon varieties and following these growing tips, you can achieve a successful and bountiful watermelon harvest in your Florida garden.

Pests and Diseases that affect Watermelon in Florida:

• Aphids: Small insects that suck sap from the leaves and stems, causing curling and yellowing.

• Cucumber Beetles: Beetles that chew on the leaves, stems, and flowers and can transmit bacterial wilt.

• Squash Bugs: Bugs that suck sap from the leaves, causing them to wilt and die.

• Spider Mites: Tiny mites that cause stippling and yellowing of the leaves.

• Squash Vine Borers: Larvae that burrow into the stems, causing plants to wilt and die.

Natural Pest Control

• Powdery Mildew: A fungal disease that causes a white, powdery coating on the leaves.

• Downy Mildew: A fungal disease that causes yellowing leaves with a fuzzy, grayish growth on the underside.

Companion Plants:

1. Marigold

• Description: Marigolds are bright, sunny flowers that come in a variety of colors including yellow, orange, and red.

• Growing Season: Spring through fall

• USDA Planting Zone: 2-11

• Special Notes: Marigolds release chemicals in the soil that deter nematodes and other soil-borne pests.

• How it Helps: Marigolds help repel nematodes, aphids, and cucumber beetles. Their roots release a substance that helps prevent root-knot nematodes, protecting watermelon roots.

2. Nasturtium

• Description: Nasturtiums are flowering plants with round leaves and vibrant flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red.

• Growing Season: Spring to fall

• USDA Planting Zone: 4-8

• Special Notes: Known for their ability to trap pests and attract beneficial insects.

• How it Helps: Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, luring aphids and cucumber beetles away from watermelons. Their flowers also attract beneficial insects that prey on these pests.

3. Radish

• Description: Radishes are root vegetables with a spicy flavor, known for their rapid growth and crunchy texture.

• Growing Season: Fall and spring

• USDA Planting Zone: 2-10

• Special Notes: Radishes can be used as trap crops to attract pests away from more valuable plants.

• How it Helps: Radishes attract flea beetles and aphids, reducing the number of pests that attack watermelons. This helps to protect the watermelons from pest damage.

4. Borage

• Description: Borage is an herb with star-shaped blue flowers and hairy leaves.

• Growing Season: Spring to early fall

• USDA Planting Zone: 3-10

• Special Notes: Borage is known for attracting beneficial insects and improving soil health.

• How it Helps: Borage attracts pollinators and beneficial insects like predatory wasps and bees, which help control pests such as aphids and cucumber beetles on watermelons. It also improves soil quality by adding trace minerals.

5. Dill

• Description: Dill is an herb with feathery green leaves and yellow flowers, known for its use in pickling.

• Growing Season: Spring to early summer

• USDA Planting Zone: 2-11

• Special Notes: Dill prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

• How it Helps: Dill attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and predatory wasps that prey on aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs. It also helps improve the health of surrounding plants by enhancing their growth.

6. Mint

• Description: Mint is a fragrant herb with a refreshing, cooling flavor, known for its vigorous growth.

• Growing Season: Spring to fall

• USDA Planting Zone: 3-11

• Special Notes: Mint can be invasive, so it’s best planted in containers or controlled areas.

• How it Helps: Mint repels aphids, flea beetles, and other pests with its strong aroma. It also attracts beneficial insects that prey on pests affecting watermelons.

7. Garlic

• Description: Garlic is a bulbous plant that grows underground, with long green shoots above ground.

• Growing Season: Fall to early summer

• USDA Planting Zone: 3-8

• Special Notes: Known for its strong scent and taste, garlic also has natural pest-repelling properties.

• How it Helps: Garlic helps to repel aphids, spider mites, and other pests due to its strong odor. It also has antifungal properties that can help reduce the incidence of powdery mildew and downy mildew on watermelons.

8. Marjoram

• Description: Marjoram is a perennial herb with sweet, pine and citrus flavors.

• Growing Season: Spring to fall

• USDA Planting Zone: 6-11

• Special Notes: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

• How it Helps: Marjoram attracts beneficial insects that help control aphids and other pests, and its strong scent deters some harmful insects.

9. Oregano

• Description: Oregano is a perennial herb with small, aromatic leaves and a pungent flavor.

• Growing Season: Spring to fall

• USDA Planting Zone: 4-10

• Special Notes: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

• How it Helps: Oregano’s strong scent helps repel aphids and spider mites. It also serves as ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture for watermelons.

These companion plants help protect watermelons from pests and diseases while also enhancing the overall health and productivity of the garden.

For watermelons, here are the vegetable plants that should not be planted nearby:

1. Cucumbers - Compete for nutrients and can attract similar pests.

2. Potatoes - Can spread diseases and compete for nutrients with watermelons.

3. Squash - Competes for nutrients and space, and can attract similar pests.

4. Pumpkins - Compete for nutrients and space, and can attract similar pests.

5. Melons - Compete for nutrients and space, and can attract similar pests.