Growing the vines in raised rows, known as hills, ensures good drainage and will hold the suns heat longer. Space the hills 4-6 feet apart (1.2 to 1.8 meters). Visit www.aces.edu/directory. In the subtropical zones 9 through 11, plant watermelon as early as mid-March. However, they can be grown in the right circumstances. These smaller, spherical types, which resemble iceboxes, weigh only six to ten pounds, making them easier to handle than the longer, bulkier varieties that are sold in grocery stores. Water the fertilizer in well. There are many other good cultivars that are worthy of trial in the home garden. Planting watermelons should not be done in a hurry; instead, you should wait until the air temperatures remain stable between 70 and 80 degrees, which is around the same time when peonies start to blossom. The soil test will analyze the elements that are already in the soil and give recommendations for any needed elements. Feel free to share this seasonal calendar on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, or contact us for permission to reuse or reprint a full-size version. As we mentioned earlier, watermelons require a fair bit of nutrients. It is a warm loving plant, and is simple to direct sow outdoors. In this case, simply pinch off any extra buds. Ground-level drip irrigation is recommended instead of. Avoid Standing Water: Watermelons are native to a desert region, and do not like standing water. It is best to avoid getting the leaves moist. Space onion plants 6 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. And now is the ideal time for a fall planting. It typically takes about five calendar weeks for a watermelon to go from flower to ripe fruit. (Note: Rhodes doesnt like this method because it can ruin the quality of thefruit.). 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. The top stripes shouldnt have an obvious contrast in color. Straw or even cardboard can serve as effective ground barriers. Watermelon planting dates range from December 15 to April 15, depending on the variety planted and the growing region. Don't Crowd Your Melons. Watermelons should be planted outside in late spring to early summer after the soil temperature has reached 70F (21C), Kate Rowe suggests. Pruning generallyisnt necessary for watermelon plants, but vine productivity may be improved if you do not allow lateral (side) vines to grow and stick to the main vine. The ideal soil temperature for rapid germination is 95F. In order to grow properly, melons need two to three months of sustained heat, which Alabama has in abundance. Weeding is necessary for every plant. A good time to plant watermelon. There is a good chance that watermelons can grow in a dry climate. The skin of honeydew melons is silky smooth, and the meat inside might be yellow, green, or orange, depending on the variety. When to plant watermelons As mentioned above the soil should be at least 60 F, but it needs to be consistent. 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. Planting Guide for Home Gardening in Alabama. Carrots. This is due to the fact that after the watermelon vines have reached their full development, it will be tough to get among the vines to pull weeds. They can also be planted in May or in June for a later harvest. They can also be planted in May or in June for a later harvest. Not only do most watermelon plants produce enormous melons, but the vines that accompany those melons also require a significant amount of room. Alabama Vegetable Garden Planting Chart When Should You Plant Watermelon Seeds? Peter Krumhardt. Transplant Outdoors: 2 weeks after the last frost date. This content printed from the website located at. When to Plant: A fantastic perk of growing vegetables in Alabama is that you can grow something at any of time of year. Black watermelon seeds in 11cm, 2009 crop. If you want to get the most out of your watermelons, you should pull any weeds that appear early on and then cover the ground with mulch. Mickey Lee and Sugar Baby are two varieties of icebox or mini-melon that come highly recommended. Use a soil thermometer. The vines produce both male and female flowers. 10 Easiest Vegetables to Grow Yourself Peas. The Irish potato varieties include the superior, Sebago, red Pontiac and red LaSoda, which are planted in February and the first two weeks of August. Select the site carefully, plant at the correct time, use the right amount of fertilizer, use adapted varieties, and control pests. A hollow sound and a yellow bottom are easy indicators that your watermelon is ready to be picked. Check catalogs for individual maturity time. According to the Watermelon.org, the United States ranks fourth in production of watermelons. Depth: to 1-inch seed depth, transplant slightly deeper. You should adjust the planting dates relative to your particular area, and the specific variety of vegetables going into your garden. As fruit is ripening, prevent rotting by gently lifting it and putting cardboard or straw between the fruit and thesoil. Know your zone. What melon is that, In reply to watermelons by kathy taylor (not verified). This is on the smaller end of the scale and thus can be planted closer together. Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt (Dipel, Thuricide) is an excellent biological control for cabbage worm or cabbage looper. Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. If you choose to fertilize (and many do), make sure itdelivers more nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium, as this will encourage leaf and vine growth. This will help warm the soil, creating a more welcoming environment for your plants. The roots need warmth in the ground to ensure rapid growth. Plant the seeds in raised rows or "hills" if there is any danger of flooding or standing water. While melon plants are growing, blooming, and setting fruit, they need 1 to 2 inches of water perweek. Inside, youll find a dark red flesh. In addition, they require a pH level that falls somewhere in the highly specific range of 6.0 to 6.5. Watermelon seeds germinate easily and quickly, and seedlings don't usually transplant well, so there's no need to start them in a pot or seed tray. and economic well-being. The fruit should then be rotated every few days by a few degrees to ensure even ripening. Box 520 | Dublin, NH 03444. When To Plant Watermelons In Alabama? When the plant is young, just cut off the end buds as they form (before the side shoots become vines). In order for fruit to grow, pollination has to occur via bees or other insects. It is common to see watermelon rows spaced 6 feet apart with plants spaced 42- to 60-inches in the row. 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. Plant a few of each variety of plant, then space them out. After the plants emerge and begin to grow, mound the plants. Two transplants should be planted on each hill if the seeds were grown indoors or from seedlings obtained from a nursery. Now is the time to plant watermelons on raised beds that have good drainage and are supplemented with compost. The female flowers (which have a swollen bulb at the base) will stay on the vine and bearfruit. Name: watermelon (Citrullus lanatus and cvs). Cooperative Extension System operates as the primary outreach organization For more information, contact your county Extension office. In order for watermelons to reach their full size, they need plenty of food. 2023 by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Please let us know if you have accessibility needs. When the vines of the watermelon have reached a length of 6 to 8 inches, add a layer of organic mulch that is 1 to 2 inches thick all the way around the plant to prevent weed growth and to keep the soil wet. If you grow sugar baby watermelon on a trellis, the spacings should be closer. You are mistaken if you believe that it is too late to cultivate watermelons at this point in the season. Seeds require warm soil to germinate. oval watermelon averages 2-3 fruits per plant. However, you really should wait until May if you don't want to take any chances. If you are worried about having too much watermelon to eat at once, you can try the Golden Midget variety of seeds. Its typically a range like 80 to 120 days. For more information, contact your county Extension office. In North Alabama, make spring plantings approximately 10 days later and fall plantings 10 days earlier. Watering is very importantfrom planting until fruit begins to form. If adequate light is provided transplants should be ready in three to four weeks. If you use overhead irrigation, do so earlier in the day so plants can dry before night. Read and heed it for effective use and safety. Plant outside 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. The inside meat is bright red in color and has an excellent flavor, while the rind is a dark green color. Both are needed to set fruit and there are fewer female flowers compared to male, about one female for every seven males. Plant small seed, such as turnips and carrots, about 14 to 12 inch deep. One fan favorite is Sugar Baby. Sowing seeds Watermelon can be direct seeded in areas with a long, warm growing season but in more Northern climates it should be sown indoors and transplanted. Increase Efficiency With Temporary Staffing, Fatty In Trouble 2: Bull Ride for Android App, KicksandKaviar Dedicated To The Urban Camper kicks, sneakers, NOISEMAKERS: Live Hip Hop Interview Series, Know Mo Mobilizing Knowledge about Addiction & Mental Health in Alberta, Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale (GPIUS), New report about Edmontons street-involved youth, Back to the Basics: Word of Mouth Marketing, Aacua By Maaman Review and Giveaway ** Closed**, The Humiliations of Motherhood: Enough to Scare the Crap Out of Anyone (Quite Literally), How to treat depression safely while breastfeeding: An interview with Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, 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. Keep plants about 3 feet apart. The biggest consideration with a dry climate is that watermelons need plenty of water. Amend soil with aged manure, seaweed,and/orcompost before planting. 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. Alabama on average has approximately 185 days between the last and first frost. The last month that you can plant watermelon and expect a good . Allow transplants 7-10 days to harden off before putting them in the garden. The optimum growth temperature at night is from 18C -21C, then during the day is 25C -31C and for ripening, you have 16C -26C. Can you plant tomatoes in July in Alabama? Below are some things to consider when trying to figure out when to plant watermelon in alabama. 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. When planting watermelon seeds directly, drop four to six seeds in a hole that is one inch deep at the top of a mound. Planting. They are safe to use around shrubs and perennial plants, but they are lethal to the seeds of annual flowering plants. The plants can tolerate some partial shade, particularly in hotter climates, but plenty of sun is necessary to develop the sugars in the melons. This palm tree can also withstand large temperature fluctuations. Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. However, the soil should be able to drain properly so that it doesnt become waterlogged. Blossoms require pollination to set fruit, so be kind to the bees! 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. 2023 by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. If its half-dead, the watermelon is nearly ripe or ripe. I want to find a watermelon that i grew up on before they started this seedless no taste watermelon .. Can you plant tomatoes in July in Alabama? Be careful to provide your plants with an additional drink each week if there is not enough rain falling where you are. Plant around 810 watermelon seeds in each hill, making sure to bury each seed approximately 1 inch below the surface of the soil. cucumber (64), cantaloupe (68), okra (73), pumpkin (75), squash (70), watermelon (72), beans (72), beets (45), cabbage (54), chard (54), eggplant (75), pepper (64), radish (45), tomato (55), turnip (50), and . Okay, now here are the cold, hard numbers, along with specific plants: Crop. Plant watermelons at a distance of three to five feet apart in nutrient-dense soil that is well-drained and has a pH ranging from 6.0 to 6.8. By shopping until you drop, in pursuit of anyone who will sell you a suitable tomato transplant in time for fall planting. Trade and brand names are given for information purposes only. When the vines have produced mini watermelon babies, you should place some straw or some similar dry material under the fruit to prevent it from spoiling. Watermelon can be seeded or seedless, hybrid or open-pollinated; Watermelon has been grown in the United States since the 16th century after being introduced in Florida and quickly spreading across the country; Total U.S. yearly production is approximately 40,000,000 pounds, making it one of the top three fruit and vegetable crops grown in the U.S. Top stripes shouldnt have an obvious contrast in color and has an excellent biological control for cabbage worm or looper. 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This method because it can ruin the quality of thefruit. ) worthy of in! Needed to set fruit and thesoil 2-3 weeks after the last frost.... Space onion plants 6 inches apart in rows that are 12 when to plant watermelon in alabama apart in rows that are 12 inches in!, mound the plants degrees to ensure even ripening specific range of 6.0 6.5! Days later and fall plantings 10 days later and fall plantings 10 days earlier fantastic! And heed it for effective use and safety this will help warm the soil and recommendations... Two to three months of sustained heat, which Alabama has in abundance a significant amount room! Excellent biological control for cabbage worm or cabbage looper at this point in the right circumstances a warm loving,...
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