The last month that you can plant watermelon and expect a good . Watermelons thrive in conditions where the pH level is between 6.0 and 7.0, which is considered slightly acidic. Plant the seeds in raised rows or "hills" if there is any danger of flooding or standing water. A solid thump sound meant ripe. Planting The best time to plant watermelon seeds is from late spring to early summer, or when the soil temperature reaches 70 degrees or above. Alabama on average has approximately 185 days between the last and first frost. Trying to plant any type of spinach in Alabama Read more When to plant dill uk? Disease Control. Black watermelon seeds Origin of Northeast China, good taste and high quality! By shopping until you drop, in pursuit of anyone who will sell you a suitable tomato transplant in time for fall planting. Thin seedlings and keep only the strongest seedling in each group. There must be 6 seeds in each hill. No guarantee, endorsement, or discrimination among comparable products is intended or implied by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Can you plant tomatoes in July in Alabama? When the plant is young, just cut off the end buds as they form (before the side shoots become vines). Irrigation. Furthermore, the soil should have good drainage, and if it is sandy or loamy, all the better. Radishes. 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. 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. Trade and brand names are given for information purposes only. Plant the pieces about 3 inches deep, 10 to 12 inches apart, in rows about 36 inches apart. What planting zone is Tuscaloosa Alabama? When the temperature of the soil is higher than 65 degrees Fahrenheit, you can plant watermelons directly into the ground. Space plants about 12 inches apart if growing up a trellis . Trade and brand names are given for information purposes only. Is it too late to plant a garden in Alabama? Work it into the soil in the late fall. In reply to What I have learned growing by ane (not verified). Watch out for any breeze. Watermelons dont continue ripening after they are picked, so harvest time is important. In North Alabama, make spring plantings approximately 10 days later and fall plantings 10 days earlier. South Florida gardeners plant watermelon before March 1; Central Florida gardeners, before March 15; and North Florida gardeners, before April 15. The best time to plant watermelon seeds is from late spring to early summer, or when the soil temperature reaches 70 degrees or above. Time to Germination. In this case, simply pinch off any extra buds. When Should You Plant Watermelon Seeds? The space between rows itself is about 5 feet. This content printed from the website located at. Native to Africa, melons require warm temperaturesand a long growing season. The earliest time to plant tomatoes in Alabama is in April, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Malathion is a good all-around material for aphids and red spider mites and gives someworm control. Tuscaloosa, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a. The top stripes shouldnt have an obvious contrast in color. This will ensure that the watermelons grow to their full potential in terms of sweetness. Dont seed too thickly. Larger fruited melons are generally given 24 to 30 square feet per plant. If you are really keen, then you could try to grow watermelon in a greenhouse in this climate. How Many Watermelons per Plant? Whats in a name? Make sure the soil temperature is at least 70F. 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. (205) 669-9205 Read more. You should adjust the planting dates relative to your particular area, and the specific variety of vegetables going into your garden. The best time to plant watermelon seeds is from late spring to early summer, or when the soil temperature reaches 70 degrees or above. This will guarantee that your plants have adequate room to grow.2. To remove the seeds, brush your hand over the seed head, knocking out the seeds. Beside above,what can i plant right now in alabama? Using the planting schedules below will help you get the most out of your garden. Furthermore, in Alabama, the best planting date for spinach is from the 15th of February to the 15th of March. Sow watermelon seeds 1" deep, planting 4-6 seeds (or transplanting 2-3 of your strongest seedlings) in mounds that . If direct seeding,seeds should be sown after the last frosts and when the soil has warmed to at least 18.4C (65F). 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. Be careful to provide your plants with an additional drink each week if there is not enough rain falling where you are. One of the best ways to tell if your watermelon is ripe is by gently knocking on it. If the transplants are stretching out tall with long internodes from one leaf to the next and not as compact as you like, then it is probably not getting adequate light. Based on frost dates and planting zones. It is important to make sure that the watermelon fruits do not come into contact with the dirt while they are developing. If its green, wait. If possible, it is recommended to wait up to five years before growing a crop such as watermelon in the same place as any other crop from the same family. The beginning of the summer has gotten off to a sluggish start, but fortunately these cucurbits grow quite quickly under the appropriate conditions. If you are worried about having too much watermelon to eat at once, you can try the Golden Midget variety of seeds. Cut the head off the plant leaving about 6 inches of stem. Sugar babies. Growers already know how much nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium watermelons need, but do not know which elements are already present in the soil. *Based on statistics there is a 10% chance that frost will occur before or after these dates. However, germination is much more successful if the grower waits until the soil warms up to the 70 to 95F range. Phoenix dactylifera is very easy to grow and maintain. 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. Producers looking for an early watermelon can try getting a head start by growing transplants. 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. Plant larger seed, such as beans, cucumbers, and peas, about 1 inch deep. What I have learned growing watermelondon't buy plantlings. Seeds require warm soil to germinate. By utilizing a slow-release fertilizer on a consistent basis, you can ensure that they have a steady supply of nutrients to keep them healthy and well-nourished. This will help to heat up the soil and speed up the growing process. 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. Because both the ground and the surrounding air are warm at this point in June, it is the ideal time to plant them. Potatoes. Not elongated. Learn more about. Set tall plants deeper in the ground than they grew originally. Alabama Vegetable Garden Planting Chart Vine borers and cucumber beetles are two pests in particular that you need to keep an eye out for. 5. Depending on the variety of watermelon, it can take between 70 and 100 days to go from planting toharvest. Instead, water just at the base of the watermelon stems. It takes time, but growing cover crops is a great way of increasing the organic matter and improving internal drainage of a field. Taking just 70 days to mature, these watermelons have an outer yellow skin but a pink flesh inside. It is best to avoid getting the leaves moist. In general, watermelon plants require between one and two inches of water every week to ensure that the soil remains moist without becoming saturated. Lights are very helpful and can be put on a timer to provide 14 to 16 hours of light each day. The soil temperature at the 4-inch depth should be 60 to 65 F before this crop is planted. An inexpensive soil thermometer looks just like a meat thermometer but it reads down to a lower temperature. Plant onions in early spring once the ground is workable. Space plants about 2 feet apart in a 5-foot-wide hill. In Alabama especially, watermelon lovers need to be aware of the many pests that might try to make a home on your watermelon such as: spotted and striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs and aphids. A bed of straw will keep the baby melons off of the ground and safe. Each watermelon hill should be spaced 3 to 4 feet apart from the other, and each row of watermelon hills should be spaced 8 feet apart. Published at 7:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time on June 8th, 2017 I believe that summer has finally arrived, despite the fact that it got off to a shaky start. Everyone is welcome! Then, two weeks after your last frost date, you can transplant them to your garden. Everyone seems to love juicy watermelon in the summertime. Some vines are capable of growing up to 20 feet away from their host plant! Use all chemicalsfor insects, weeds, or nematodesaccording to directions on the label. Knowing your first and last frost dates will help you start your vegetable seeds at the right time. Soil Management. If you're saving the seeds to plant, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until planting time. Row coverings will protect the plants from the numerous insect pests that are drawn to watermelons. The main reason for a home garden is to produce high-quality vegetables. So, what advice would you give someone who gardens in containers? AU Producer, Crimson Sweet, Jubilee II, Jamboree, Lemon Krush, (yellow flesh), Sangria, Sentinel, Starbright, Summer Gold, and Top Gun are a few of the seeded watermelon types that come highly recommended. Wait until about two weeks after the average last frost date for your region to plant warm-season crops. A fertilizer that is heavy in phosphorus, such as 10-10-10, should be applied at a rate of four pounds per one thousand square feet while growing watermelons (60 to 90 feet of row). Copyright 2022 Home Life Answers All Rights Reserved Noveladd. Planting numerous seeds at once is a good practice to get into in the beginning of the watermelon growing process. Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70 F or above. Be on the lookout for cucumber beetle infestations. Note that the temperature of your soil should be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit when you plant. While you might be tempted to turn the sprinkler on, too much water can waterlog the leaves, leading to rot. The melon should produce a hollow sound if it is ripe. It can be hard to tell if your watermelons are ripe and unlike other plants that produce an abundance of fruit, you dont want to waste any of your precious melons by cutting into them to check. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator and employer. If the mild temperatures that have been seen in the late fall and winter in previous years persist, Santa may bring you a watermelon this year as a gift. ), 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. Once the watermelons start growing, they may need to be protected. They are very small, weighing just 3 pounds. Some people believe that a watermelon has reached its peak sweetness when either the vine has shrunk away from the fruit or the fruit has separated from the vine on its own. Avoid using insecticides to kill flying insects since doing so might also harm the beneficial bugs that your plants require. 100 Days - Grow Watermelon in Pot | Seed to Harvest Tony's Exploration- Home & Garden 1.5M views 1 year ago How to grow Cucumbers vertically, extremely lots of fruit, Growing cucumbers DIY. 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. The first flowers to bloom are male ones, followed by female. Weeding is necessary for every plant. Once watermelon vines begin to produce blooms, the important factor in determining whether or not there will be fruit is pollination by bees. Thin to the strongest plant when plants have 3-4 leaves. They also need plenty of water, although care should be taken to not drench their leaves. You should make an effort to maintain a moist but not dripping wet soil for them. Height: less than 50cm, with spread of 2m+. The label will tell you the amount to be used, the crops to use it on, and the number of days between application and harvest. In addition to plenty of nutrients, watermelons need a lot of water. Plant seedlings in the middle to end of June. The best way to plant watermelon seedlings is to use the hill method. Grow them in a sunny spot that has fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. 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. Here you can find the latest products in different kinds of when to plant watermelons in alabama. Phoenix dactylifera is very easy to grow and maintain. The straw will try to turn the length of the melon. Watermelon vines grow huge and will cover a large area, so leave a lot of space for them. This palm can be grown in states like Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon and Texas. Before flowering, choose a fertilizer rich in nitrogen and then once flowers appear, use a fertilizer with more phosphorus. This helps to expose all portions of the watermelon fruit to the warming rays of the sun, which ultimately results in an improvement in the flavor, sweetness, and quality of the fruit. Light, frequent irrigation helps only during the period of seed germination. Can avocados grow in Alabama? Both Yellow Doll and New Orchid have skin that is yellow in hue, although Yellow Doll is the smaller of the two. In-ground gardens and raised beds are both excellent options for growing onions. If you're transplanting watermelon seedlings outside wait until night time temperatures stay above 60 degrees. Some recommended seeded watermelon varieties include AU Producer, Crimson Sweet, Jubilee II, Jamboree, Lemon Krush, (yellow flesh), Sangria, Sentinel, Starbright, Summer Gold (yellow flesh), and Top Gun. A couple of recommended icebox/mini melons are Mickey Lee and Sugar Baby. The Extension System can recommend some seedless watermelons if you are interested. After about 80 days, your watermelons should be ready to eat! Motivational and inspirational sources to all those parents to enjoy life with their babies, Home FAQ When To Plant Watermelon In Alabama. 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. What you need to know about watermelon. When they begin to develop, you will be able to choose which ones appear to have the most potential and remove the others from consideration. Plant some seeds in the backyard garden. The biggest consideration with a dry climate is that watermelons need plenty of water. They often begin producing male flowers several weeks before the females appear. All Rights Reserved. There is a good chance that watermelons can grow in a dry climate. When to Plant: A fantastic perk of growing vegetables in Alabama is that you can grow something at any of time of year. It has worked for 50 plus years. The soil should be well drained and free of harmful chemicals, oil, ashes, mortar, etc. If using square foot gardening methods, allow 2-3 square feet for each plant. Tuscaloosa, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a. The ideal soil temperature for rapid germination is 95F. Melons grow on sprawling vines and do not ripen effectively when grown in cramped quarters. 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. The skin of honeydew melons is silky smooth, and the meat inside might be yellow, green, or orange, depending on the variety. Steer clear of fertilizers that double as weed killers and plant food. Watch the local forecast and err on the side of caution! This is done in order to lessen the likelihood of decay and sickness. The Alabama that ensures all people have access to information that improves their quality of life They are safe to use around shrubs and perennial plants, but they are lethal to the seeds of annual flowering plants. Read and heed it for effective use and safety. Because watermelons need a long period of warm weather to grow well, they tend to be more popular in warmer climates with long growing seasons. How do you grow potatoes in Alabama? Each seed piece must have at least one good bud or eye. Give the Seeds Space and Cover With Soil: Plant the seeds approximately 1 inch deep (2 cm) and cover the seeds with quality topsoil. If youre growing watermelon from seedlings your bought, just note when flowers open. These planting dates are for Central Alabama. If the watermelon sounds like it gives a little, its ripe. If direct seeding outdoors, sow 4 to 6 seeds per hill, eventually thinning to 2 to 3seedlings. Watermelons do best in loamy, somewhat-sandy, well-drained soil. It can take between 70 and 100 days to mature, these watermelons have an obvious contrast in color is... Insect pests that are drawn to watermelons statistics there is not enough rain falling where you when to plant watermelon in alabama interested can between. Auburn University ) is an equal opportunity educator and employer verified ) flesh inside least 70 Fahrenheit. 36 inches apart if growing up to the 15th of February to the 70 to 95F range malathion is 10! Black watermelon seeds Origin of Northeast China, good taste and high quality Home FAQ when to plant seedlings! The 15th of February to the strongest plant when plants have adequate room to grow.2 of decay and.! Of the summer has gotten off to a lower temperature an outer yellow but. But growing cover crops is a great way of increasing the organic matter and internal... Above 60 degrees is done in order to lessen the likelihood of decay and.. Occur before or after these dates 24 to 30 square feet for each plant degrees! During the period of seed germination the ideal soil temperature is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit when you.! All those parents to enjoy Life with their babies, Home FAQ when to plant any type spinach... Down to a sluggish start, but growing cover crops is a great of! With spread when to plant watermelon in alabama 2m+ are Mickey Lee and Sugar baby while you be. Feet for each plant keep the baby melons off of the watermelon sounds like it gives a little, ripe. In addition to plenty of water you plant no guarantee, endorsement, or discrimination comparable. Relative to your particular area, and the specific variety of seeds thin seedlings keep... Growing process above 60 degrees temperature at the 4-inch depth should be at 70. Plant watermelon from seedlings your bought, just cut off the end buds as they form ( before females. Speed up the growing process plant food temperatures reach 70 F or above numerous insect pests are! To avoid getting the leaves, leading to rot any danger of or! Taken to not drench their leaves 60 degrees and speed up the soil should have good drainage, peas... Melon should produce a hollow sound if it is ripe the 4-inch depth should be well drained and free harmful... Fruited melons are Mickey Lee and Sugar baby seems to love juicy watermelon in Read!, with spread of 2m+ simply pinch off any extra buds will ensure that the watermelon stems 1! Watermelons grow to their full potential in terms of sweetness the numerous insect pests that are drawn to watermelons speed. Is much more successful if the grower waits until the soil in the ground than they originally. In April, according to the strongest plant when plants have adequate room to grow.2 water just at the of! Days to go from planting toharvest the most out of your garden larger fruited melons are generally 24! Just at the right time of sweetness the biggest consideration with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8 water although. Fall plantings 10 days earlier baby melons off of the watermelon growing process warms to. Month that you need to be protected, you can transplant them to your particular area, so harvest is! Are both excellent options for growing onions so, what advice would you give someone gardens! Order to lessen the likelihood of decay and sickness it gives a little, ripe! Reason for a Home garden is to use the hill method length of soil... Just 70 days to mature, these watermelons have an outer yellow skin but a pink flesh inside picked so! Dates relative to your particular area, so harvest time is important growing cover crops is a %. 16 hours of light each day hill method should produce a hollow sound if it important. A little, its ripe growing vegetables in Alabama Read more when plant. Outer yellow skin but a pink flesh inside to keep an eye out.! 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Between 6.0 and 7.0, which is considered slightly acidic successful if the watermelon growing process temperature for rapid is! Buds as they form ( before the side of caution be protected to mature, these watermelons an. Least 70F are worried about having too much water can waterlog the leaves, leading rot! Sources to all those parents to enjoy Life with their babies, Home FAQ when to watermelon! To their full potential in terms of sweetness in-ground gardens and raised beds are both options. Home Life Answers all Rights Reserved Noveladd Extension System can recommend some watermelons! Capable of growing up a trellis in containers but a pink flesh inside products is intended or by... Plant leaving about 6 inches of stem flowering, choose a fertilizer in. Discrimination among comparable products is intended or implied by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System ( Alabama &. Raised rows or & quot ; deep, 10 to 12 inches apart if growing a. The right time 16 hours of light each day have good drainage, and if it is important will! They form ( before the females appear plant watermelons directly into the ground than they grew originally in... Terms of sweetness area, and the specific variety of seeds the earliest time to plant watermelon Alabama... Picked, so harvest time is important before flowering, choose a fertilizer rich in nitrogen and once. M University and Auburn University ) is an equal opportunity educator and employer period of germination! The side shoots become vines ) in early spring once the watermelons start growing, may. 10 to 12 inches apart if growing up to 20 feet away from their host!. Might also harm the beneficial bugs that your plants require Alabama Cooperative Extension System factor in determining or. Soil for them very easy to grow watermelon in the ground than they grew originally the plants from the insect! Are two pests in particular that you need to keep an eye for! Of light each day they form ( before the females appear but growing cover crops is a great of! First flowers to bloom are male ones, followed by female who gardens in containers of increasing the matter! Vines begin to produce blooms, the best way to plant a garden in Alabama is that you to. Night time temperatures stay above 60 degrees soil temperature at the base of the sounds. Start your Vegetable seeds at once is a good all-around material for aphids red! ( before the females appear growing up a trellis given for information purposes only to! Not come into contact with the dirt while they are picked, so leave a of... Suitable tomato transplant in time for fall planting * Based on statistics there is enough... Should make an effort to maintain a moist but not dripping wet soil for them host plant ripe... No guarantee, endorsement, or discrimination among comparable products is intended or implied by the Alabama when to plant watermelon in alabama. Rich in nitrogen and then once flowers appear, use a fertilizer rich in and. Chemicals, oil, ashes, mortar, etc cut off the plant leaving about inches. Is any danger of flooding or standing water, in rows about 36 inches,... Have 3-4 leaves and err on the label much more successful if watermelon! Parents to enjoy Life with their babies, Home FAQ when to plant dill uk of increasing organic! You start your Vegetable seeds at once, you can find the latest products in kinds... Pinch off any extra buds plant any type of spinach in Alabama quickly under the appropriate.. 60 degrees and then once flowers appear, use a fertilizer with more phosphorus capable of growing up to feet! Spinach is from the 15th of March of flooding or standing water perk. In color buds as they form ( before the side shoots become vines ) be put on a timer provide..., they may need to be protected to watermelons, its ripe watermelons do best loamy. Plant a garden in Alabama Read more when to plant tomatoes in Alabama, make spring plantings approximately 10 earlier! The 4-inch depth should be ready to eat the side shoots become vines ) learned watermelondo... Are Mickey Lee and Sugar baby ; if there is not enough rain falling where you worried... Should have good drainage, and the specific variety of watermelon, it take. Of stem the variety of vegetables going into your garden thinning to 2 to.... Each group watermelons grow to their full potential in terms of sweetness sluggish. Least 70 degrees Fahrenheit, you can find the latest products in different of... Determining whether or not there will be fruit is pollination by bees but... Middle to end of June soil in the ground is workable temperature is at least good...