Watermelon Growing Guide
Watermelon is a great next step in your growing journey. Follow this guide from planting to harvest and you'll do great.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Moderate
Category
Melon
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Tender
Cold Hardiness
Survives to 2°C
Plant Family
Cucurbitaceae
Growing Season
Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Annual
Also grows well as
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
Sow 2cm deep once the soil is reliably warm (18°C+) — cold soil rots the seed. Best where summers are long and hot.
A heat-loving annual vine that needs warmth, sun, space and a long season. In cool climates start it indoors and grow on the warmest spot (even up a sturdy trellis with slings for small types). Heavy feeder — rich soil and steady water until the fruit sizes, then ease off to sweeten it.
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
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Last Chance to Plant
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When should you plant Watermelon?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Watermelon Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Watermelon's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
2 cm
Seeding Depth
90 cm
Plant Spacing
180 cm
Row Spacing
Vertical Growing
Yes – small-fruited types up a strong trellis with fabric slings.
Succession Planting
No (one long crop).
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 5–10 days
Growing Tips
- 1Give watermelon heat, sun and room — and water deeply and steadily while the vines and fruit grow.
- 2The trick to sweetness: once the melons are full-size, cut back on watering for the last couple of weeks so the sugars concentrate.
- 3Mulch under the fruit to keep it clean and warm.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
~85
Days to Maturity
40 cm
Mature Height
300 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
21 days
When to Pick
Pick when the curly tendril nearest the fruit dries brown and the ground-spot turns creamy yellow
How to Harvest
- 1Watermelon won't ripen after picking, so read the signs: the curly tendril closest to the fruit dries to brown, the pale 'ground spot' where it sits turns from white to buttery yellow, and the skin goes dull and tough.
- 2Cut the stem with a knife.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Scoop seeds from a fully ripe melon, rinse off the pulp, and dry them flat for two weeks. Open-pollinated types come true; keep varieties apart as they cross.
Seed Production
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