growing watermelon in arizona

It is best to wait until the soil is 70°F or warmer, which isn't typically a problem in Arizona. The soil needs to be warm for the seeds to properly germinate and grow. Small hills should be made and about 9 seeds should be pushed 1 inch deep in the top of each of the hills.

How many watermelons do you get per plant?

Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. The vines produce both male and female flowers.

What is the best month to plant watermelon?

Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70° F or above. Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.

How long does it take a watermelon plant to bear fruit?

It takes the shortest amount of time to mature, about 70 to 75 days. A main-season watermelon is larger and takes longer to ripen, usually 80 to 90 days. Seedless watermelons are an interesting exercise in plant genetics.

Do watermelons like sun or shade?

Watermelons require full sunlight in order to thrive. The plants can tolerate some partial shade, particularly in hotter climates, but plenty of sun is necessary to develop the sugars in the melons.

Do watermelon plants come back every year?

Planting a few watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) vines in your garden lets you grow your own desserts or sweet snacks. This member of the Cucurbitaceae family is related to squash and pumpkins. As a tender annual, watermelon vines will not last through winter conditions and will require re-planting each spring.

Do watermelons need lots of water?

How to Grow Watermelons. Watering is very important—from planting until fruit begins to form. While melon plants are growing, blooming, and setting fruit, they need 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Keep soil moist, but not waterlogged.

What is the lifespan of a watermelon plant?

How many watermelons per plant? About 2 to 3 melons can be obtained per plant in its single lifespan of 3-4 months. Usually, gardeners purposely keep only one watermelon per plant to harvest big sized fruits.

How do I make my watermelon sweeter when growing?

Sweetness Starts in the Soil

To encourage strong growth, blend 4 to 6 inches of composted manure into your melon beds prior to planting. Then add a balanced organic fertilizer (such as a mixed blood meal/bone meal product) every 3 to 4 weeks.

What's the best fertilizer for watermelons?

When fertilizing watermelon plants, use nitrogen based fertilizer at the onset. Once the plant begins flowering, however, switch to feeding the watermelon a phosphorus and potassium based fertilizer. Watermelons require ample potassium and phosphorus for optimal melon production.

How do watermelons grow for beginners?

Watermelon seeds should not be planted in the garden until the soil temperature reaches at least 65 degrees F. Plant six to eight seeds about 1 inch deep in each mound. Space seeds at least 2 feet apart in mounds that are at least 5 to 6 feet wide by 4 to 6 inches high. This allows ample room for vines to grow.

How do I know when my watermelons are ready to pick?

Answer: Harvest watermelons when the underside or belly of the fruit turns from a greenish white to buttery yellow or cream. This color change is especially pronounced on the dark green skinned varieties. In addition, the fruit tends to lose its slick appearance on top and becomes dull when ripe.

How do you increase watermelon fruit size?

To maximize the size of the melons, water the plants at the base in regular, deep-watering sessions that keep the soil moist. Side dress the watermelon plants with fertilizer designed for edible crops or compost tea to feed the plants. The fertilizer encourages growth to get larger melons.

Do you turn watermelons as they grow?

If vines aren't strong when temperatures are at their highest during the harvest season, they aren't able to protect the watermelon fruit from being exposed, which leads to sunburn damage. Coolong stresses that the best way to protect vines is to turn them back in drive rows.

Where do watermelons grow best?

Florida has historically been the top producer of watermelons and accounted for 19 percent of the 3.9 billion pounds of U.S. watermelon production in 2012. Florida and three other States—Georgia, California, and Texas—accounted for two-thirds of U.S. output in 2012.

How deep do watermelons need to be planted?

Watermelons need a long growing season (at least 80 days) and warm ground for seeds to germinate and grow. Soil should be 70 degrees F or warmer at planting time. Sow seeds 1 inch deep and keep well watered until germination.

What can you not plant near watermelon?

Because other members of the Cucurbitae family are all attacked by cucumber beetles, planting watermelons next to these crops is not recommended:

Cucumbers.
Summer squash/zucchini.
Pumpkins.
Winter squash.

Do you water watermelon everyday?

Watering Watermelons

Give watermelons 1 to 2 inches (2.5. -5cm) of water every week (1 inch equals 16 gallons/60.5 liters.) Keep the soil moist until the fruit reaches full size then stop watering while the fruit ripens.

Can you water watermelons too much?

A watermelon plant (Citrullus lanatus) needs enough moisture to ensure proper growth and fruit development. Too much water can be detrimental when growing watermelons, reducing the quality of the fruit or causing it to burst.

Do watermelons like wet soil?

Moisture Requirements for Watermelon

Although the watermelon's deep root system makes it relatively drought-tolerant, the plant requires an abundance of water to produce healthy fruit. Keep the soil consistently moist from planting until the fruit reaches the size of a tennis ball.

How many times do watermelon bloom?

They require a long warm season to flower and fruit, ideally 80 to 90 days with temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Most will flower four to eight weeks from the time of seed germination, depending on the variety planted, soil culture and growing conditions.