Malathion is a good all-around material for aphids and red spider mites and gives someworm control. Of course soil testing in advance of planting is recommended along with growing cover crops. An echo sound or hollow sound not ripe. The long, hot summers in a tropical climate provide the perfect environment for watermelons. The soil temperature at the 4-inch depth should be 60 to 65 F before this crop is planted. Do not start watermelon seeds too early, as huge plants transplant poorly into the garden; once planted, watermelons do not like to have their roots disturbed. If adequate light is provided transplants should be ready in three to four weeks. Planting. and economic well-being. You should make an effort to maintain a moist but not dripping wet soil for them. Zone 7 Planting Schedule Zone 8 Planting Schedule Zone 9 Planting Schedule There are a couple of very popular watermelon seeds that will yield excellent results. Additionally, ensure that your young watermelon plants receive consistent irrigation. The skin of honeydew melons is silky smooth, and the meat inside might be yellow, green, or orange, depending on the variety. An immature watermelon will have a white bottom; a ripe melon will have a cream- or yellow-coloredbottom. If the tendril is fully dead, its ripe or overripe; its not going to get any riper, so you might as wellpick! Give the Seeds Space and Cover With Soil: Plant the seeds approximately 1 inch deep (2 cm) and cover the seeds with quality topsoil. Cut the head off the plant leaving about 6 inches of stem. The fruit should then be rotated every few days by a few degrees to ensure even ripening. In the spring, do not plant this crop until after the last chance of frost. In central Florida, the watermelon season starts exactly one month later, from mid-January to March 15, while in northern regions of the state, a planting time of February 15 to April 15 is best. Grow them in a sunny spot that has fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70 F or above. Alabama is in 7, 8 and 9 USDA plant hardiness zones. Cooperative Extension System operates as the primary outreach organization Cut the seed potatoes into pieces weighing about 2 ounces. Long-season crops such as tomatoes, cabbage, pepper, okra, and potatoes need more fertilizer than short-season crops. To remove the seeds, brush your hand over the seed head, knocking out the seeds. 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. Instead, water just at the base of the watermelon stems. Use a soil thermometer. 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. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator and employer. that ensures all people have access to information that improves their quality of life Planted vine crops like watermelons in small hills about a foot wide. Now, for all the usual hot weather veggies like beans, cowpeas, corn, squashes, pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelons, gourds and sunflowers, you should plant those seeds directly into the ground around August 6. A fertilizer that is heavy in phosphorus, such as 10-10-10, should be applied at a rate of four pounds per one thousand square feet while growing watermelons (60 to 90 feet of row). A good time to plant watermelon. when to plant watermelon in alabama Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70 F or above. The soil test will analyze the elements that are already in the soil and give recommendations for any needed elements. Its recommended to start watermelons off as seeds indoors. Place it in a location that receives medium to bright indirect light and keep the soil consistently moist for the first 1-2 weeks after separation. There must be 6 seeds in each hill. Freeze or can the surplus if you want to enjoy your garden all year. Testing at least every 3 years is a good idea. My zone is 7b. 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. 1121 Main Street | P.O. Keep plants about 3 feet apart. Seeds are cheap, so get the best available. 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. Thin the fruit to three melons per vine, as this will result in more nutrients (and thus sugars) pumped into each melon. Early planting will miss some insects, but usually, youll have to use insecticides. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Steer clear of fertilizers that double as weed killers and plant food. For South Alabama, make spring plantings approximately 10 days earlier and fall plantings 10 days later. Carrots. Whats in a name? Learn more about. seeking the position of Bush Sugar Baby. Another excellent option is known as Sugar Pot, although in recent years, it has been challenging to track down the seeds of this kind. Plant the newly separated offshoot in its own pot and water the soil thoroughly. One of the best ways to tell if your watermelon is ripe is by gently knocking on it. Instead of characteristic stripes, these melons have tiny yellow spots a few large yellow spots against a dark green skin. Allow transplants 7-10 days to harden off before putting them in the garden. Plant outside 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. Straw or even cardboard can serve as effective ground barriers. This will help to heat up the soil and speed up the growing process. The ideal soil temperature for rapid germination is 95F. Can avocados grow in Alabama? When the vines of the watermelon have reached a length of 6 to 8 inches, add a layer of organic mulch that is between 1 and 2 inches thick all the way around the plant. The Arbequina olive is ideally suited to Alabama's climate. Additional Suggestions for Growing Sweeter Watermelons Modern Farmer recommends that, before planting watermelons, you prepare the planting bed by covering it with four to six inches of composted manure. Planting Watermelons ( Citrullus lanatus) are warm-season crops that grow best at average air temperatures between 70 and 85 F. The earliest time to plant tomatoes in Alabama is in April, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. This medium-sized, 8-13 lb. Just watch out for rot that can be caused by too much moisture. After about 80 days, your watermelons should be ready to eat! For most vegetables, the soil pH should be around 6.0 to 6.5. Its possible to start planting as early as March if you live in a warmer environment. Based on frost dates and planting zones. Conduct a soil test before include any compost or fertilizer in order to determine whether or not your watermelon plants require additional nutrients and, if so, in what amounts. The scientific name for watermelon is Citrullus lanatus. Trade and brand names are given for information purposes only. If you're planting in rows, leave 6 feet between the rows. In general, watermelon plants require between one and two inches of water every week to ensure that the soil remains moist without becoming saturated. Give cantaloupe plenty of room to grow. It is best to avoid getting the leaves moist. Cooperative Extension System. Fertilize again once the fruit has just emerged. The temperature of the air throughout the day should ideally be at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit higher than what it actually is. Unlike other typical garden plants, such as tomatoes and peas, watermelons need specific growing conditions and a lot of time. The best way to plant watermelon seedlings is to use the hill method. put in good compost or aged manure, cover with good dirt, make a mound, drop in 5 seeds, cover with more dirt, pat down and water gently but thoroughly. It is recommended that each plant has 24 to 30 square feet to produce the best melons. Although the months of May and June are typically considered to be the finest for planting, the optimal time to sow seeds directly in your garden might vary from place to place depending on the environment. Is it too late to plant a garden in Alabama? (Note: Rhodes doesnt like this method because it can ruin the quality of thefruit.). If you wait until the weeds are grown, their extensive root systems may damage the shallow roots of a watermelon, thus it is important to pluck them by hand as often as possible when they are still little. With this in mind, the best time to plant watermelon will depend on where you are in the state. The label is one of the most important pieces of garden literature available. 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. Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt (Dipel, Thuricide) is an excellent biological control for cabbage worm or cabbage looper. Melons in general thrive in the heat, and watermelons are no exception. If you are really keen, then you could try to grow watermelon in a greenhouse in this climate. The vines produce both male and female flowers. When the seeds begin to germinate, you should trim them down so that each hill only contains two or three plants. Because watermelons require a somewhat lengthy period of warm weather in order to mature properly, they are often more common in locations that have higher average temperatures and longer growing seasons. Everyone is welcome! Disease Control. After waiting up to 80 days, your watermelons will finally be ready. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Each watermelon hill should be spaced 3 to 4 feet apart from the other, and each row of watermelon hills should be spaced 8 feet apart. When to Plant Watermelon in Zone 7 and Higher. Peppers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, eggplants and parsley can now be planted all over the state. It takes time, but growing cover crops is a great way of increasing the organic matter and improving internal drainage of a field. Trade and brand names are given for information purposes only. Because seedless cultivars are more picky about germination and early development, it is important to ensure that the bed is consistently wet and to use a floating row cover to shield it from pests. If possible, it is recommended to wait up to five years before growing a crop such as watermelon in the same place as any other crop from the same family. When to Plant Watermelon in Florida. Too many gardeners try to grow vegetables in competition with trees, shade from buildings, or fences. The roots need warmth in the ground to ensure rapid growth. Okay, now here are the cold, hard numbers, along with specific plants: Crop. Find the best dates for planting and transplanting vegetables, herbs, and fruit! Water seeds into the hills after planting. Wrap tightly inplastic. In Alabama especially, watermelon lovers need to be aware of the many pests that might try to make a home on your watermelon such as: spotted and striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs and aphids. Plant seeds about 1/2 inch deep. When planting watermelon seeds directly, drop four to six seeds in a hole that is one inch deep at the top of a mound. Originating from Africa, watermelon is now largely grown in the humid climate of Florida. Do watermelons need full sun? If you use overhead irrigation, do so earlier in the day so plants can dry before night. If the garden is heavily infested with nematodes, either move the garden or heat the soil through a process called soil solarization. As we mentioned earlier, watermelons require a fair bit of nutrients. Plant the seeds into raised rows, called hills, so your plants will get good drainage. Watering is very importantfrom planting until fruit begins to form. Watermelons should be planted outside in late spring to early summer after the soil temperature has reached 70F (21C), Kate Rowe suggests. There is no other kind of watermelon that performs as well as Bush Sugar Baby watermelons when it comes to growing watermelons in containers. Height: less than 50cm, with spread of 2m+. Watermelons can be a great crop for home production, as well as commercial production. The vines need space to spread. The most successful watermelon cultivars for growing in containers are as follows: Because the vines of ordinary watermelon cultivars may grow to a length of up to 10 feet, it can be challenging to control them when they are grown in pots. Try some Sorbet varieties if youre interested in seedless options. Taking 80 days to mature, this variety is about 10 pounds in weight. This content printed from the website located at. Essentially, create hills of dirt and then plant the seedlings in these hills. Watch your local weather for more accurate dates. Chemical weed killers are not usually recommended for home gardens. What month do you plant watermelon? Be careful to provide your plants with an additional drink each week if there is not enough rain falling where you are.
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