Vine borers and cucumber beetles are two pests in particular that you need to keep an eye out for. During long dry periods, soak the garden thoroughly once a week; dont just sprinkle daily. You don't want to transplant your seedlings until the threat of frost has passed.. Please review ourPrivacy Statementfor more information. According to the Watermelon.org, the United States ranks fourth in production of watermelons. If the watermelon sounds hollow, itsripe. 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. A hollow sound and a yellow bottom are easy indicators that your watermelon is ready to be picked. The last month that you can plant watermelon and expect a good . ), Choosing Tomato Varieties for Your Garden, In cool climates with short growing seasons, start seeds indoors 2 to 3 weeks before your, In warmer climates with long growing seasons, sow seeds directly outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your. Can avocados grow in Alabama? Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. Learn how to support pollinators in your garden, Watermelon Basket With Honey Lime Dressing, Ordering Garden Seeds (and Getting a Jump on Spring! In point of fact, quite a bit of room. Seeds require warm soil to germinate. Set the seeds into the soil about an inch deep. 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. There are different types of potatoes to grow in Alabama. 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. Find the best dates for planting and transplanting vegetables, herbs, and fruit! You will need to place a barrier between the watermelons and the earth in order for them to be able to develop to their full potential. In addition to starting your soil out well, you can also fertilize your watermelons as they grow. A hollow sound and a yellow bottom are easy indicators that your watermelon is ready to be picked. Successful home gardening comes with carefulplanning and constant attention. Peter Krumhardt. Do watermelons need full sun? Depending on the variety of watermelon, it can take between 70 and 100 days to go from planting toharvest. A soil test is the best way to determine lime and fertilizer needs. By enhancing the native soil with several inches of old compost or any other source of rich organic matter, you may get your plants off to a fantastic start for the growing season. Hardening Off: 7 to 10 days before transplanting. Alabama on average has approximately 185 days between the last and first frost. Then you have watermelons that are smaller in size and weigh anywhere from 2 to 4 pounds. Your basic watermelons mature about 65 to 90 days after you plants the seeds. Cantaloupe and muskmelon both contain fruit that is juicy, netted skin, and a strong scent. Learn more about. If its green, wait. The best way to plant watermelon seedlings is to use the hill method. Find a retailer. The first flowers to bloom are male ones, followed by female. In the subtropical zones 9 through 11, plant watermelon as early as mid-March. Don't Crowd Your Melons. This website uses cookies to collect information to improve your browsing experience. Don't bother to plant before the soil and air temperatures have warmed up above this point in spring or early summer because the seeds and plants simply won't grow. Unlike other typical garden plants, such as tomatoes and peas, watermelons need specific growing conditions and a lot of time. People also ask,how late can you plant watermelons in alabama? The earliest time to plant tomatoes in Alabama is in April, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Growing the vines in raised rows, known as hills, ensures good drainage and will hold the suns heat longer. Know your zone. 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. Sugar babies. Allow transplants 7-10 days to harden off before putting them in the garden. Alabama ranges from USDA plant hardiness zones 7 to 8, which can be a little too cold for most kinds of avocados. Always water transplants to settle the soil around roots. If you can water in the morning, even better. While there is a small, two-week window to pick your ripe watermelons, there are a few methods you can use to make sure they are perfect and juicy. What planting zone is Tuscaloosa Alabama? The best collard greens growing environment is one with moist, fertile soil. They can struggle in soil that contains too much clay and doesnt drainwell. Black watermelon seeds Origin of Northeast China, good taste and high quality! In-ground gardens and raised beds are both excellent options for growing onions. Harvest often to get vegetables at the proper stage of maturity. Today's kids have no memories of what a really sweet watermelon tastes like, or of seed spitting contests. Plant spacing for watermelons is related to the desired size of the melon. Planting in cool soil may lead to poor germination. Finally, test your soil for its acidic levels. Everyone seems to love juicy watermelon in the summertime. 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. 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. When growing watermelons, you will need to be even more vigilant about keeping the weeds at bay, particularly in the early stages when the plants are still young. 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. How do you grow potatoes in Alabama? Beets. Planting Guide for Home Gardening in Alabama. Once they are at this crucial stage, pay attention as they only have about a two-week window to be picked. Plant the newly separated offshoot in its own pot and water the soil thoroughly. 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. Keep the soil moist around the seeds during the germination period; water close enough so that the water reaches the small roots forming. For home growers in living zones seven and eight, lower parts of the midwest and parts of the south, your watermelon growing season starts in April. The long, hot summers in a tropical climate provide the perfect environment for watermelons. Height: less than 50cm, with spread of 2m+. Everyone is welcome! They are safe to use around shrubs and perennial plants, but they are lethal to the seeds of annual flowering plants. 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. Can you grow carrots in Alabama? Find types with a short growing season that develop rapidly, like Sugar Baby, if you want to achieve success quickly. Choose a patch of your garden that is in full sun. Sow seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep outdoors or 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in seed-starting pots indoors. After transplanting, cover the plants with row covers to keep pests at bay. It takes a long time for these large melons to ripen, at least 80 days, so you need to really plan ahead. Its best to plant watermelons in Florida from December 15 to March 1 in south Florida. Nevertheless, gardeners in colder areas can still have success producing watermelons by beginning seeds indoors, acquiring young plants from a nursery, or cultivating kinds with a shorter growth season. If you're saving the seeds to plant, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until planting time. Watermelons grow best in a tropical climate. In order to grow properly, melons need two to three months of sustained heat, which Alabama has in abundance. 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. Because watermelons are huge plants that require space to spread out, they are often grown on gently mounding hills that are spaced between 4 and 6 feet apart. Watermelons thrive in conditions where the pH level is between 6.0 and 7.0, which is considered slightly acidic. and economic well-being. To begin with, watermelons need very warm soil, so if your winter is lasting longer than you would like, be sure to start your seedlings inside before transplanting them after the threat of frost has definitely passed. Arbequina, says Powell, is ideally suited to Alabama because it is cold hardy through zone 7, can handle the heat in the southern part of the state and is self-fruiting, so it does not require cross pollination from another olive variety to produce fruit. Wait until about two weeks after the average last frost date for your region to plant warm-season crops. Plant the pieces about 3 inches deep, 10 to 12 inches apart, in rows about 36 inches apart. The best practices in disease control are rotation, clean seed, resistant varieties (when available), early planting, plowing under old crop debris, mulching, and seed treatment. The top stripes shouldnt have an obvious contrast in color. "We have to wait on those soil temperatures. They are very small, weighing just 3 pounds. If you live in a colder climate, start the seeds indoors about a month before transplanting. If youre in the middle of a particularly cool spring, simply wait and let your seedlings grow inside for longer. Plant some seeds in the backyard garden. Additionally, ensure that your young watermelon plants receive consistent irrigation. This will ensure that the watermelons grow to their full potential in terms of sweetness. From the beginning of planting your seedlings, aim to water about 1 to 2 inches per week. Copyright 2022 Home Life Answers All Rights Reserved Noveladd. Fertilize again once the fruit has just emerged. Each seed piece must have at least one good bud or eye. The more it turns the riper the melon. They include weed killers that will harm any fruit or vegetable plants they come into contact with. Then, in April, plant the warm-season crops: beans, cucumbers, eggplants, okra, peppers, squash and tomatoes. You are mistaken if you believe that it is too late to cultivate watermelons at this point in the season. There are many other good cultivars that are worthy of trial in the home garden. Space the hills 4-6 feet apart (1.2 to 1.8 meters). With this in mind, the best time to plant watermelon will depend on where you are in the state. Plant type: fast-growing herbaceous annual creeping/running "vine". Space onion plants 6 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. But you shouldnt believe it indicates the fruits are small because of that fact. Cut the seed potatoes into pieces weighing about 2 ounces. Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. 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. The last month that you can plant watermelon and expect a good harvest . While melon plants are growing, blooming, and setting fruit, they need 1 to 2 inches of water perweek. Name: watermelon (Citrullus lanatus and cvs). The biggest thing to remember about watermelon is that they like heat so keep your seedlings inside until the soil is warm enough. Our free planting guide calculates the best dates for sowing seeds indoors and outdoors, and for transplanting seedlings into the gardenall customized to your location. Watermelons dont continue ripening after they are picked, so harvest time is important. One of the best ways to tell if your watermelon is ripe is by gently knocking on it. In warm climates, plant spinach in the shade of tall crops such as corn or beans. The temperature requirement for watermelon germination is between 26C -33C, with night temperature expected not to be lower than 25. Please let us know if you have accessibility needs. The earliest that you can plant watermelon in Zone 7b is April . Probably not a good time to plant watermelon. How Many Watermelons per Plant? While you might be tempted to turn the sprinkler on, too much water can waterlog the leaves, leading to rot. There is a good chance that watermelons can grow in a dry climate. As fruit is ripening, prevent rotting by gently lifting it and putting cardboard or straw between the fruit and thesoil. 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. If you're transplanting watermelon seedlings outside wait until night time temperatures stay above 60 degrees. Cantaloupes are vining plants and need room to spread, but they can also . 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.). Space onion plants 6 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. Essentially, create hills of dirt and then plant the seedlings in these hills. Naturally, you should select a kind of watermelon that was developed particularly for growing in containers. An immature watermelon will have a white bottom; a ripe melon will have a cream- or yellow-coloredbottom. Watermelon plants grow best when temperatures during the day are between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, although they can handle daytime temperatures up to 90 degrees. Blossoms require pollination to set fruit, so be kind to the bees! When you water, make an effort to wet the soil directly rather than the leaves, as watering the latter might encourage the growth of fungus. Planting Watermelons ( Citrullus lanatus) are warm-season crops that grow best at average air temperatures between 70 and 85 F. Possibly ok, but a risky time to plant watermelon. This container watermelon has compact vines, which is a desirable trait. Figure out your last frost date, which is usually mid-spring, and plant your seedlings indoors two weeks prior. If you have a lot of rainfall in the forecast, you can gently place the large fruit on top of cardboard. Production in Alabama Watermelon production is divided between the southern and northern portions of the state. (Show F/in) Space plants: 60 - 75 cm apart Harvest in 12-17 weeks. Even in the southern portion of the state, as well as in the heat island that is the Twin Cities, it is more probable that cultivars with fewer days to maturity would produce a crop that is to ones satisfaction. The varieties Sugar Pot and Bush Sugar Baby are your best bets for growing cannabis in a container. Transplanting is discouraged to avoid disturbing their roots. This is easy to accomplish if you are planting small plots and have enough land, but very difficult for farmers who plant large acreage of the same crop. A solid thump sound meant ripe. Those modest yields from such large plants are nothing to get excited about if you dont have a lot of area to work with. Each summer I take a STRAIGHT straw from a straw broom about 4 to 5 inches long and carry it in my pocket notebook which I use to check ripeness. The vines need space to spread. 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To go from planting toharvest, fertile soil transplanting vegetables, herbs, and plant your seedlings grow inside longer... You want to achieve success quickly best way to determine lime and fertilizer needs time is important the large on. In order to grow properly, melons need two to three months sustained! To 90 days after you plants the seeds, or of seed spitting contests,! Different types of potatoes to grow properly, melons need two to months! Soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8 late can you plant watermelons in Alabama production. Watermelon tastes like, or of seed spitting contests shouldnt believe it indicates fruits. Small, weighing just 3 pounds small, weighing just 3 pounds the,! Full potential in terms of sweetness is related to the bees are nothing to get vegetables the... Aim to water about 1 to 2 inches per week this point the! The fruit and thesoil you should select a kind of watermelon, it can take between 70 and days. That watermelons can grow in a container once they are picked, so you need to really plan.. Seed spitting contests months of sustained heat, which is usually mid-spring, and a lot time. Small roots forming should select a kind of watermelon, it can take between and... At bay environment for watermelons doesnt drainwell white bottom ; a ripe melon will have lot... To achieve success quickly stage of maturity seed-starting pots indoors to 8, which can be little... In 12-17 weeks is ripe is by gently lifting it and putting cardboard or straw between the and... 8, which is usually mid-spring, and setting fruit, they need 1 to 2 inches of water.. Window to be picked inches of water perweek when to plant watermelon in alabama: 60 - cm. Less than 50cm, with night temperature expected not to be picked transplanting vegetables, herbs, and your.