Lexi Webster
Watermelons are a popular fruit to grow in Australia, especially in Western Australia, where the hot and dry climate suits their growth. They are a thirsty crop and will use water all season, but limiting their water at the end of the growing season will make the fruit sweeter. They are traditionally grown on mounds to help with drainage, but in the warm, dry climate of Western Australia, they can be planted according to usual methods. They need a lot of space, a sunny spot, and rich, well-drained soil. Australia also exports watermelons to Japan, where they are sold at a premium price.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Space requirements | Large |
| Sunlight | At least 6 hours a day |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining, loose, nitrogen-rich |
| Climate | Warm, frost-free, hot and dry |
| Water | Plenty, but limit at the end of the growing season |
| Seeds | Planted with the pointy end facing down |
| Root system | Deep and fine |
| Nutrients | Nitrogen-hungry |
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What You'll Learn
Watermelon growing conditions
Watermelons need a lot of space to grow—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. They also need a sunny spot with at least six hours of sun a day, and plenty of moisture. The warmer the climate, the better. They also require well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
Watermelons need a long period of warm weather to grow well, so they tend to be more popular in warmer climates with long growing seasons. However, gardeners in cooler climates can still grow watermelons by starting seeds indoors or purchasing young plants from a nursery and growing shorter-season varieties. In temperate zones, sow seeds from September to December, and in subtropical zones, sow from September to January. In cooler climates with short growing seasons, start seeds indoors two to three weeks before the last frost date. Aim for a soil temperature of at least 65°F (18°C).
Watermelons have huge appetites, so keep them well-fed with a continuous supply of nutrients using a slow-release fertilizer. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilisers, or you'll get a large vine with few fruits. Watering is critical, and a consistent supply of water will help grow huge, flavorful watermelons. From planting until the fruit begins to form, watermelon plants need 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Reduce watering once the fruit is growing—dry weather produces the sweetest melon.
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Seed germination
Watermelons are a fun and tasty addition to the summer vegetable garden. While growing such large fruit may seem daunting, watermelons are actually very straightforward to cultivate. The various types of melon are all members of the cucurbit family, along with cucumbers, pumpkins, and summer squash, and the basic cultivation methods will be familiar to anyone who has grown these more everyday relatives.
Watermelons require plenty of space, sun, water, and time to grow. Choose a sowing spot that provides direct sunlight for at least six hours per day, with enough space to sow the seeds at least 90 cm apart in all directions, preferably more. The soil should be rich and warm (at least 25°C) and moist without being waterlogged.
To sow, make raised mounds at least 90 cm apart and sow two or three seeds 2 to 3 cm deep into each one. Maintain light but consistent watering until germination, which usually takes 10 to 14 days. Once the seedlings appear, thin them down to the single strongest one per mound. The tender young seedlings are at risk from slugs and snails, so take the usual precautions, including beer traps, barriers, and manual collection.
Given the right conditions, watermelons grow quickly and reliably. However, a few simple steps will help you toward a more rewarding harvest. First, be vigilant with watering throughout the whole growing period. As the name suggests, watermelons can be very thirsty plants and require regular deep watering to flourish.
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Soil requirements
Watermelons can be grown in a wide range of soil types, including sandy, gravelly, and dry soil. However, they require well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients and organic matter. To prepare the soil for planting, add well-decomposed animal manure or homemade compost to improve drainage and soil quality. Avoid using poultry manure or rich organic fertilisers as these can cause an overproduction of male flowers.
The ideal soil pH for watermelons is between 6.5 and 7, although this is not essential. If your soil is below this pH range, you can add lime to increase it and supply calcium to the soil. Calcium is particularly important for growing watermelons, as a deficiency can impact fruit development. If your soil is neutral to alkaline, you can add gypsum to supply calcium without altering the pH.
To further improve drainage, create raised mounds of soil with a shallow depression on top for watering. Plant two or three seeds in each depression to ensure successful germination. Watermelons also benefit from mulching, which helps retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weed growth.
While watermelons require regular watering to keep the soil moist, be careful not to overwater them as this can lead to bland, tasteless fruit. They are native to hot, dry regions and do not tolerate frost, so it is important to plant them in a warm, sheltered spot with full sun exposure.
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Vertical growth
Watermelons can be grown vertically in Western Australia, where they thrive in hot, dry summers. They are a thirsty crop and will use water all season long, but limiting their water towards the end of the growing season will make the fruit sweeter. Watermelons like full sun and won't do well in the shade. They also like rich, well-drained soil.
To grow watermelons vertically, you will need a strong trellis to support the weight of the watermelons. If you are low on space, choose a smaller variety of watermelon. You can start seeds in trays or sow them straight into the garden, but remember that watermelons don't like their sensitive roots disturbed, so handle them with care when planting them out. For best germination, the seeds need to be planted with the pointy end facing down into the soil. Make sure the seeds are well covered and press the soil down gently. Keep the soil moist.
Watermelons are traditionally grown on mounds to help with drainage, but in warm, dry Western Australia, they can be planted according to your usual methods. They have a deep, fine root system, so the soil needs to be loose to allow their roots to spread out and absorb water and nutrients. Work in plenty of compost and well-rotted manure before planting. They are nitrogen-hungry, so you can add some organic, slow-release fertiliser to the soil before planting, but go easy on nitrogen-rich fertilisers or you'll get a large vine with few fruits.
Once the vines are about 2m long, pinch out the growing tips. This helps if you're short on space and encourages the plant to put more energy into the existing fruit. When the fruit starts to grow, place something under it, such as cardboard or plastic, to prevent damage to the bottom of the fruit while it ripens. Water deeply and regularly while the plants are setting fruit, but don't wet the leaves as watermelons are prone to powdery mildew. In the last two weeks before the fruit is ripe, reduce watering considerably.
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Harvesting tips
Watermelons can be harvested in mid to late summer, about 12-16 weeks after planting the seed. The harvest period can be extended by planting a number of seeds a few weeks apart, allowing harvesting from late spring until early winter or the first frost.
Determining when a watermelon is ripe can be difficult. The general consensus is to wait until the fruit is fully coloured and the underside is starting to turn from green to light yellow. You can also roll the watermelon over and check if the area in contact with the ground is yellowing. Another way to check is to tap the melon with your knuckles and listen for a deep, dull, hollow sound. You should also look out for a brown and dried-up tendril near the watermelon and a shrivelling stem.
If you are short on space, you can train watermelon vines to climb up a trellis instead of spreading across the ground. You can also pinch out the terminal tips of the vine's runners when they are about 2m long to limit their spread.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, watermelons can be grown in Australia. They thrive in the hot, dry, Western Australian summers.
Watermelons need a lot of support and a strong trellis if grown vertically. They need a lot of water all season long, but limiting their water at the end of the growing season makes the fruit sweeter. They also need full sun (at least six hours of sun a day), rich and well-drained soil, and a warm, frost-free climate.
Watermelon seeds should be planted with the pointy end facing down into the soil. Make sure the seeds are well covered and press the soil down gently. Keep the soil moist.
Watermelons are traditionally grown on mounds to help with drainage. Pinch out the growing tips when the vines are about 2m long to save space and encourage the plant to put more energy into the existing fruit. Once the fruit starts to grow, place something like cardboard or plastic underneath to prevent damage to the bottom of the fruit while it ripens.
