How many watermelon seeds should I plant?

Spacing Requirements

Sow 6–8 seeds per hill, later thinning to 3–4 plants per hill. Sow watermelon seeds ½-inch deep. Water seeds into the hills after planting.

What happens if you put too many seeds in a hole?

You should perform a germination test to what percent of the seeds sprout. If half of the ones you sow sprout. Then you plant multiple seeds into a hole. Generally if you plant multiple seeds into a hole, if both plants grow out you will have to cut, kill or transplant the secondary (usually weaker) plant.

What happens if you plant watermelons too close together?

Spaced properly, watermelons will thrive. When placed too close together, they will overlap and cause problems for the surrounding fruit plants. Each plant will spread in a circle of around 4 feet. The vine that’s on top will soak up the needed sunlight, leaving the vines below to wither.

How much space do I need to grow watermelons?

Watermelons need A LOT of space—up to 20 square feet per plant. Their vines need room to sprawl, so plant them in a place where they won’t crowd out other crops. Growing the vines in raised rows, known as hills, ensures good drainage and will hold the sun’s heat longer.

What is the spacing for watermelon?

Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70° F or above. Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.

What can you not plant near watermelon?

‘Sugar Baby’ Watermelon

Avoid planting them near other crops that will shade them. Include flowers like dill, chamomile, cosmos and pineapple sage to attract predatory insects that eat melon pests, including beetles, caterpillars and aphids.

Can I plant cucumbers next to watermelon?

Because watermelons, cucumbers and squash are in the same family and are able to cross-pollinate, place each of these where the vines will not intertwine.

Can I grow watermelon in raised bed?

You can grow a watermelon plant in a small 4′ x 4′ raised garden bed – if you use a trellis. … There’s no avoiding that they are large, vigorous plants. But if you select the right variety, take good care of them, and train them up a trellis, you can enjoy fresh melons from your own small garden beds.

What is the best companion plant for watermelon?

Melons are one of the most compatible plants in the garden and do well when planted with peas, pole beans, bush beans, onions, leeks, chives, and garlic. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, okra, spinach, sunflowers, lettuce, and Brussels sprouts also flourish in the companionship of melons.

Can you grow tomatoes and watermelon together?

Warm-season plants like tomatoes and melons thrive together with the same temperature, sun, nutrition and water needs, but they require generous spacing for growth. Plant these crops at the same time, and with the same considerations.

Can you plant watermelon in pots?

Yes, you can grow watermelon in pots. But there are some important guidelines you’ll want to follow to set yourself up for success. Watermelons are fun to grow in pots, but they must be cared for properly.

Do potatoes and watermelon grow well together?

Vegetable Allies

Pole or bush beans are beneficial when planted close to watermelons because they increase the soil’s nitrogen. Interplanting melons with potatoes can have good effects, particularly if you mulch the potatoes with straw.

Can I plant cantaloupe and watermelon together?

Size. The foremost concern in planting both cantaloupe and watermelons in the same garden bed is space. The vines of both melons spread far and will grow wherever they can to access sunlight. Plants too close together cause unnecessary competition for light, soil moisture and nutrients.

Can you plant corn and watermelon together?

You can plants them near your watermelons, just make sure the corn doesn’t tower over the vines too much, since watermelon plants need full sun to thrive. … Just make sure you allow plenty of space for your watermelons to grow.

Can you grow peppers next to melons?

Peppers – Pepper plants make good neighbours for asparagus, basil, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, oregano, parsley, rosemary, squash, Swiss chard, and tomatoes. … Avoid planting potatoes near asparagus, Brassicas, carrots, cucumber, kohlrabi, melons, parsnips, rutabaga, squash, sunflower, and turnips.

Can I plant marigolds with watermelon?

Flowers: Watermelons rely on insects like bees to help it produce fruit—that’s why flowering plants with appealing scents like marigolds, lavender, and borage make good companions for watermelon plants. These flowers also repel aphids, which can be particularly destructive to watermelon leaves and tendrils.

Should watermelon vines be pruned?

Watermelon vines spread out in runners going in all directions from the base, often growing longer than 3 feet. Pruning the vines can lead to poor pollination, but clipping off some of the fruit can help the rest of the melons thrive.

Why should you not plant cucumbers near tomatoes?

Cucumbers’ and Tomatoes’ Shared Diseases

Phytophthora blight and root rot are more serious issues as these disease pathogens can ravage both cucumbers and tomatoes. Plants can be treated with commercial fungicides as a preventive measure, but it’s better to just use good cultivation practices.

What should you not plant near tomatoes?

Plants that should not share space with tomatoes include the Brassicas, such as broccoli and cabbage. Corn is another no-no, and tends to attract tomato fruit worm and/or corn ear worm. Kohlrabi thwarts the growth of tomatoes and planting tomatoes and potatoes increases the chance of potato blight disease.

Can you plant zucchini and watermelon together?

Yes, you can plant watermelon and squash together.

Are marigolds good for tomato plants?

So why do marigolds and tomatoes grow well together? Marigolds and tomatoes are good garden buddies with similar growing conditions. Research studies have indicated that planting marigolds between tomatoes protects the tomato plants from harmful root-knot nematodes in the soil.