Who doesn’t love a juicy watermelon? Watermelon Seeds like an escape from the summers like that of Africa. You can easily learn to grow it rightly and fresh. It is one of the easiest fruits to grow and worth it too, in supermarkets you can’t judge a watermelon without taking a bite but when you grow it with your own hands it can be the freshest thing you have ever eaten. It just needs hot weather, your precious time, and a season with space to sprawl.
Read this guide to harvest the perfect watermelons, a trick for a plantation is to treat them as your child and care for them when needed.
When to Plant Watermelon Seeds?
To cut down any doubts plant the seeds when there are no cool nights ahead for 80-90 days after sowing, approx. 2 – 3 weeks before the last frost date, when the temperature of the soil is around 70 degrees F, you need to be patience as it takes some time to grow (80-90 days), some small sized watermelons can also develop in 70 days.
How many watermlone seeds per hole do you plant?
We plant mostly more than one seed per hole to ensure germination
How many watermelon seeds per hole is decided by many factors-
- Seed variety: if you are growing small seeds that will lead to smaller fruits plant more seeds per hole but if seeds are large for larger watermelons plant fewer seeds per hole to prevent overcrowding
- Soil: if the soil is warm, well-draining, and rich in organic matter, fewer seeds per hole can also guarantee germination but if the soil is clayey or poorly drained increase the number of seeds per hole to increase germination chance.
- Spacing: It is yet another factor to decide how many watermelon seeds per hole to plant, as they require space, plenty of gardening space can favor more seeds per hole, but if planting is in raids beds or containers limit the number of feeds.
How many watermelon seeds per hole is important but how far you plant watermelon seeds will change the course of your plantation
- Plant approx. 2-3 seeds per hole to ensure germination but look back on the factors above to decide how many watermelon seeds per hole will work.
- Leave a space between each hole for optimal growth approx 4 to 6 ft.
How many seeds you need for a watermelon also depends upon these small factors that cannot be overlooked-
- Seed type: larger seeds mean a smaller number of seeds to plant and vice versa
- Hole size: it should be ideal as if too large it would lead to a weak root system and too small will increase the chance of overcrowding.
- Germination rate: if the germination rate of your high quality seeds is high less number of seeds can guarantee germination and vice versa.
- Variety: some watermelon varieties are more vigorous which requires more space and vice versa, you should first know which variety is most suitable for your space and sow accordingly.
How to Plant Watermelon Seeds
Follow these basic steps and you are good to go-
- Right spot: Ensure a spot with sunlight for 6-8 hours with well-drained soil and plenty of space to grow.
- Soil preparation: prepare it with manure loosen the soil for 12 inches and remove weeds in the process
- Make holes: dig holes 1 -2 inches deep with adequate space of 4-6 ft in between them
- Plant the seeds: approx. 2-4 seeds per hole and water it thoroughly.
- Water 1- 2 inches of weekly
- Support the vines with stakes to avoid ground touch which will rot the fruit
- Use nitrogen: rich fertilizer at the start to promote leaf and vine development than a phosphorus-rich plant for improving fruit development
- Harvest after 80-90 days of growth when they acquire a hollow sound if tapped, a yellowish outer surface, and a dull rind, cut it from the vine with few stems attached left.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs):-
Q1. How many watermelon seeds can you plant together?
Ans. 2-3 seeds can be planted together.
Q2. How many watermelons will one plant grow?
Ans. One plant can grow 2- 4 watermelons which is quite dependable on several seeds and their variety.
Q3. How many seeds do you need for a watermelon?
Ans. 2-3 seeds per hole which can be cut down to the stronger one that germinated.
Q4. How many watermelon seeds per acre?
Ans. It completely depends upon space but mostly 2000-3000 seeds per acre.
Q5. How many pumpkin seeds per plant?
Ans. 2-3 pumpkin seeds per plant will suffice.