Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
A summertime staple fruit that needs space, warmth, and patience. The reward? Nothing beats a homegrown watermelon on a hot day.
medium
Full Sun (8+ hours)
Deep watering — reduce as fruit ripens
80-100 days to harvest
How to Grow
Sow seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after frost. Plant in mounds of rich soil, 2.5cm deep. Space plants 1.5-2m apart. Water deeply and consistently until fruit is tennis ball-sized, then reduce. Harvest when the tendril nearest the fruit turns brown.
Growth Phases
Germination (4-8 days)
Seeds sprout in warm soil
Vine Growth (3-5 weeks)
Vines spread broadly along the ground
Flowering (1-2 weeks)
Male and female yellow flowers appear
Fruit Development (4-6 weeks)
Pollinated flowers swell into melons
Ripening (2 weeks)
Fruit develops full sweetness — check tendril and belly spot
Care Tips
- •Needs consistent heat — not suitable for cool climates
- •Reduce watering as fruit ripens for sweeter taste
- •Tap the fruit — ripe melons sound hollow
- •Check the belly spot — yellow means ripe
Companion Plants
Community Interest
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