6 Common Watermelon Growing Mistakes

[@EveryDayDetox]

I appreciate these videos so much! This is my first year growing watermelon. 6 varieties. Already battling moles/voles, chickens breaking in and ravaging the bed, and I found my first squash bug of the season yesterday. Pray for me 🙏🏻😂

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY @EveryDayDetox!!! I'm glad you like the videos. That's great it's your 1st time growing melons. The voles are killing my patch, I have never had them before. I might not get a melon but I'm trying everything. We should keep in touch to see what works. Oh yes, those nasty bugs. I will pray for you.

[@denisemiller8474]

Put a small screen fence up. Use red cyan pepper powder on the garden

[@denisemiller8474]

Be careful not too break off the tendril I did this hanging my watermelon last year. I went on the two finger strip rule and the dulling of the melon and softer end . It was hard telling but they were perfect. I got a 44 pounder.

[@EveryDayDetox]

@@GrowSomethingTasty So far they moved on to another area of the yard. I've heard windmills create a vibration that irritates them. If I ever haver to try that I'll let you know how it works!

[@EveryDayDetox]

@@denisemiller8474 Thank you Denise!

[@davidstroheker4675]

I love the birthing comparison. We used to grow watermelons back when I was 14. But my dad knew everything about the whole garden. We were just supposed to water and weed. Here it is 40 years later, and I'm trying to relearn I appreciate your videos, Mr Brown.

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Mr. Stroheker!!! That is great you are relearning how to grow melons again. I'm glad you like the comparison. I hope you grow some nice watermelons. Thanks for your comment.

[@davidstroheker4675]

@GrowSomethingTasty if you have time . What caused a watermelon to split before it's ripe it was only about the size of a basketball, but it was sitting upright it wasn't laying down. The rest of my melons are fine right now. I'm in North Texas.

[@FoothillsofAppalachia-nj6cq]

Hello Bear Brown. I live in north Georgia. I enjoyed watching your video.I love growing watermelons too. Been growing them for 35 years. You are spot on. Have to keep the weeds out too while they are small until they start running good.Great job friend!👍🙂👨‍🌾

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY @FoothillsofAppalachia!!! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. That is great you have been growing for 35 years. Have you dealt with voles? If so what can I do? I'm trying everything. For my watermelon video for next week, I came up with something crazy. Oh yeah the weeds, I just came in from doing that. Thanks, my friend.

[@FoothillsofAppalachia-nj6cq]

@@GrowSomethingTasty No advice for voles. We just have moles and mice in Georgia.I have two of the old spring loaded mole traps with spikes if you have ever seen one ,but they are really hard to catch. I have a few garden videos coming out now. My garden is late because it wouldn’t stop raining. Now we need some rain. I’ll be watching friend.Have a blessed day!👍

[@cryptoking7299]

Great info! I have 2 watermelon plants going atm and 10 more seedlings. Glad you came out with this video!

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY @Cryptoking!!! I'm glad you liked info. That is great you have that many watermelon plants. Thanks for watching and commenting. I hope the info helps.

[@ninapit]

I'm doing two new things in my veggy garden this year in S Africa (now summer): I covered my beds with woodchips and I sowed watermelon. I saw on another channel that the crawling vine of a watermelon likes to root itself along the way to get new access points to moisture and nutrients. So I plan to plant the vine as it carries along by removing woodchips. It is still small. Maybe if you are shooting for a big melon you might consider trying this? As I say, I'm new to watermelon and woodchips. Learning a lot from your videos, thank you!

[@ninapit]

Goodness, apologies. The very next KZbin video by MIgardener says watermelon vines do not root in the soil! You will now best.

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Nina!!! I love woodchips. You remind me that I need to order a Chipdrop, I have been putting it off. It's a great idea to try things to see if it works for you or not. In my experience, they do that for pumpkins by letting them root. The melon vines may get diseases, so be careful. Test one to see what happens. I do tests all the time, that's how you learn.

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY, it's all good Nina, Let me know how your watermelons are doing. I wish I was planting them now. It's 30 degrees outside right now. How cold does it get in S Africa?

[@ninapit]

@GrowSomethingTasty here in the Western Cape near Cape Town, frost is not even a concern. So we grow chard, brassicas, onions and roots through the winter. I'd say our lowest minimum is 5 degrees Celsius! But watermelons, peppers, tomatoes, egg fruit and cucumbers/squash are summer crops. It gets really hot here, though, and much hotter inland. Ok, so it does not get cold outside, but there's no central heating in our homes, so winter feels cold and dreadful to us. We dress warmly indoors then.

[@pryelomitchell1797]

You're a great teacher and my new 'go-to' guy. Thanks.👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Pryelo!!! Thanks, Bro, I appreciate that. My video for next week, I trying something crazy but I think it's going to work. The voles have turned me into a mad man, LOL.

[@pryelomitchell1797]

@@GrowSomethingTasty I'll bet 😄

[@elainewhite6847]

Thank you, Mr. Brown. The information helps out a lot.

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Elaine!!! I'm glad the information is helpful.

[@annievukich3798]

Thank you thank you! Very clear suggestions!

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Annie!!! You are welcome. Thanks for the comment.

[@CeciliaNtshenyang-vu3em]

Thank YOU alot I will follow your skills as you shared 🙏

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

All the best, Cecilia. I hope it helps.

[@CeciliaNtshenyang-vu3em]

@@GrowSomethingTasty 🙏🙏

[@Thuggizzle]

So don't use coffee grounds?

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY @Thuggizzle!!!! I used coffee grounds in the past. I just stopped going to Starbucks to get them. I hear not to over due it with coffee but I would still use it.

[@Thuggizzle]

@GrowSomethingTasty Yo thanks brother I just started growing so I will be tuned in to learn from you brother.

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

@@Thuggizzle Cool, bro!

[@angiemc8593]

Thank you for all your wonderful advice 😊

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Angie!!! You are welcome. I need to follow my advice because I a monster on the vine and if I keep it happy I will win the competition.

[@chrisby911]

Thank you Bear, very helpful!!!😊

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY, Chrisby!!! You are welcome. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@GmamaGrowz]

Thanks for sharing your watermelon information 🍉!

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY GmamaGrowz!!! I appreciate your comment. In the video next week I tried something crazy to stop the voles from destroying my last melon plant that can win watermelon warz. I just hope I did not kill my plant myself.

[@yolandawilson929]

Thank you

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Yolanda!!! You are welcome.

[@wallyevans4228]

Since I don’t kill any animals we avoid bone meal and fish for feeding …love your take on veggies 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Wally!!! Cool, are you a vegan? If so I don't know how you do it. My co-worker is a vegan. I try to get advice but I can't do it. I am a pescatarian.

[@kansascityonline]

good tips BB.. thanks!..

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY @kansascityonline!!! I'm glad you like the tips. You're welcome. Thanks for leaving a comment.

[@kukukaka968]

Great video thanks!!

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

Glad you liked it!

[@sweetlaughter78]

Just found you today! Thank you for these videos, Im enjoying them! ❤

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY @sweetlaughter!!!! I am glad you found my channel!!!!! I appreciate your comment.

[@curlykiki8]

I like your planting technique of not overcrowding the hole. thanks for the tips!

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Curlykiki8!!!! I'm glad you like the technique. It has helped me a lot.

[@odomshomestead]

Great information

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Odomshomestead!!!! Thanks, I appreciate it.

[@blackgunsandgardens]

Awesome information… Thanks for sharing… Salute!🍃🍃😎

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY @Blackgunsandgardens!!! Thanks, I appreciate it.

[@1ashleysylvestre]

I have 20.😂 🤷🏽‍♀️ and 3 cantaloupes in between. I have been watering twice a day in this north Georgia weather

[@delucastudios3097]

daily? i'm in ga too

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY @IAmAshleySylvestre!!! Wow, that is great. You have that many, I wish. It is very hot.

[@joycee5493]

Thank you!

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Joycee!!! You're welcome.

[@nekawallc6324]

I've been letting the land and weather do it thang. My melons been super sweet. But I think I'm messing up yah. But they looking good. So far

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

That's great they are looking good. I got a few nice ones in spite of the voles.

[@dywanecox4880]

Nice tips brother. Sounds on point. Even when growing Marijuana you back off on the watering at the end. I always fail at growing watermelons. I'm using your advice.

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Dywane!!!! Thanks, brother!! I hope you have great success with growing melons now.

[@Qualman701]

How far apart do you suggest putting plants?

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY @Qualman701!!! I grow my melon plants 2 feet apart in a row and 3 feet between rows. Now they say to plant 7 feet between rows but I don't have that space being a backyard gardener. My melons are close but it works for me. I hope that helps.

[@Qualman701]

@@GrowSomethingTasty I think it will, thanks

[@robertawestbrooks9531]

Love your video,

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY, Mrs. Roberta!!! Thanks, I'm glad you loved the video.

[@mrgoode1647]

So true

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Mrgoode!!! Thanks.

[@gardening_today]

Thank you Mr. Brown...good information. I have question should you cut the first melon that pops up on the main vine? I saw somewhere it's the dummy melon and should be cut because it takes most of the nutrients from the other melons. Tfs T

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Garden_today!!! I'm glad you liked the information. I don't cut my first melon off. As long as it is pollinated I leave it on. They end up growing for me. I think the melons were not pollinated that's why those people took it off.

[@gardening_today]

@GrowSomethingTasty Ok...thanks. I grew melons last year and I didn't cut off the first melon. I saw that somewhere and I didn't think it made a difference. Again thank you!

[@InuqiSevonne]

ok, the tips are heling me out alot, i have a question, my leaves are turning light green? should i go back with the fish fertlizer?

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

Yes, you can use fish fertilizer if it's turning yellow

[@InuqiSevonne]

@@GrowSomethingTasty ok great i will do that today!

[@Rosalyn-z6t]

I had 2 Crimson Sweet that split from constant rain here in Florida 😢

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

I'm sorry to hear that.

[@jonasdubaere59]

thanks your a good teacher

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Jonas!!! Thanks, I really appreciate it.

[@BUTGOD-j1x]

Wish I'd seen this video BEFORE planting my watermelon seeds. I did all five.

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY@BUTGOD!! You are probably good to go with your melons.

[@BUTGOD-j1x]

Not really. I planted them too close and did not thin out. Then I over watered them after a dry spell. Today I pulled about 20 melons out because they all split.

[@codylovelace2237]

You will know for next year. You may still get something this year as well.

[@hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542]

One thing I learned a couple years ago, the hard way, is that watermelons ripen by heat. The strange way I learned this was when we had a melon pop up in early August that made melons [despite being devoured by the ground hogs] which I protected with a black milk crate, and a truck tire. They go so ripe, they turned to liquid before I harvested them. Turns out, they were getting up to 125 degrees under the black tire and the black milk crate. They were edible...or...more exactly...drinkable.

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

Wow 125 degrees, I see why they are liquid. Yes, we as gardeners learn something every year.

[@hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542]

@@GrowSomethingTasty One of the lessons i learned, going forward is that I can 100% ensure no unripe watermelons, since all I ave to do is make sure they get up over 100F and 100% guaranteed, 100% ripe, even if they are those 'hardly developed latecomers' a lot of amateur melon growers experience [from not thinning their vines of excess fruit]. Between keeping the vines way up off the ground and being on a hot tin roof, I should have some pretty good ripening.

[@WildBearFoot]

I worry about watering so much. Do you recommend moisture meters? And I used composted chicken manure and built hills, the plants are looking good, I have small melons, will the manure be bad now that they're growing, I can't remove it, obviously, but the soil was really poor so I felt I had to hedge my bets on as much nutrition as possible.

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

You can use a moisture meter. I had one long time ago. I use my finger now, if it's dry I water it. If it's moist I leave it alone. I use black cow manure. The manure should be good unless it's hot.

[@aaronedmunds4829]

Hi, I'm trying grow sugar baby melons. since they are a smaller melon how long should the vine be prior to flower set. mine are only about 18" and setting flowers. should I add more N. Thanks

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Aaron!!! I don't know the answer to that. I never worry about the length of my vine before the fruit set. I have a plant with 2 flowers on it and it's about 2 feet long. Yes, you can still add nitrogen to encourage more leafy growth if you are not happy with the length of the plant.

[@daledavis1460]

Hello Bear. Thank you for all the information you have provided on watermelons. I am a first year grower. I have been fertilizing w/Tru organic all purpose 5/4/5 & Tru organic bone 7-7-0 in combination w/ a water soluble fertilizer as well. Do you think that is enough to support 2 melons a vine? Any feedback is appreciated. Love the channel.

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY, that looks good to me. I just feed my plants compost tea today. I'm making more as we speak. Thanks, I'm glad you love the channel. I had another vole in my raised bed today. I'm sick of them. They are going all around my melon plants. I was working to try to keep them off my main plant today.

[@VictoriaDS23]

Use castor oil as a Repellant for moles and voles. I use a product by a company called Victor. I've used this product for years in my flower garden. I hope you see this message! The product works!

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

@VictoriaDS23 HEY WHAT is your secret! I have the granules and the castor oil, and they are still killing me

[@cocobrwngl]

What if you have a storm coming and it is expected to rain several days in a row?

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY, cocobrwngl!!!! I'm in the storm, too. There is nothing much to do. I did try to cover one of my melon plants base to stop the water, but I don't know if it's going to work. That melon could win me my competition if it survives. I'll pray

[@ronnien5225]

Hey bear I love your videos super helpful but I have two questions and maybe you could help me but my watermelons look deformed and I don’t know why and also is it okay to start a watermelon plant during July in Texas or is it too late?

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Ronnien!!!!! I'm glad you liked the videos. They could be deformed because the plants did not get enough water or there were pollination issues. I have never started melons in July but I just started some 2 weeks ago from starts. I think it's going to be close. Most watermelons take about 100 days so if you have that try it. I would try to get seedlings though. If I were you I would check my local stores to see if they still have melons because I think they will stop selling them soon. If they have some I would get them and put them in the ground ASAP.

[@ronnien5225]

@@GrowSomethingTasty thank you so much this really helped.

[@clavongrams8406]

Thank you Brother Bear. 🍉. This is my 3rd season, never had a deer problem until this year, ole Rudolf got busy on way too many young plants. Since they have grown he doesn't mess with them. I grew close to 200 last year, added some yellow ones this time. Great info tho, i appreciate it and will be using it in the field. Im watching bro

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

Hey Clavon, I understand. I never had voles but they are killing my melon plants. I'm trying everything. In the next video people going to be like he has lost his mind. You grew 200 wow that is nice. Thanks for watching bro, I appreciate it.

[@tambariw]

Thank you for these tips!! Growing watermelon for the first time. Sugar baby. I'm excited because they've started flowering! How long does it take for fruit to start appearing?

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Tambariw!!! It's no set time, but there are coming. Normally, the male flowers come first, then the females. Now I'm guessing within 3 weeks because you said it's starting to flower. Let me know when you see a melon.

[@tambariw]

@@GrowSomethingTasty I've got 6 female flowers from three plants so far!! I've attempted pollination. Wish me luck!!

[@Carena722]

This is helpful I followed some tips. Some have tiny melons and in the past I had small ones and didn’t understand why. I also have a worm castings farm because I think that is good since I don’t think I have space for something like rabbit manure

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Carena!!! That is great you have a worm farm. That is some good fertilizer. When I started growing melons I had small ones too. It took me a while to prune them because I did not want to do it.

[@kevinhipps1236]

I have huge watermelon but it is a pale green color. Why did that happen will they be edible?

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Kevin!!! I don't know. What kind of melon is it? You may have a melon with a different color. For example, a Charleston gray melon looks different than a crimson sweet melon. When the tendril is dry and the belly is yellow that when I know it's ready.

[@kukukaka968]

Suggestion! when planting watermelons plant as many seeds as you can when they all start growing keep the plants that are bigger cut the plants that are weaker this way you get the best plants possible per season!!! i always plant of any fruit or vegetable 50 seeds out of those 50 i keep 3-4 plants

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY, that is cool to do. I plant more than I need and then I thin them out as well. I don't think I planted 50 but it's a good plan.

[@Brown_Skittle]

I live in an Australia rural area, I’m planting my melons for the first time in a non fenced in area so I’m interested if the kangaroos will eat them before I get to. You have Voles, I have kangaroos 😂

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY, Brown_Skittle!!! Australia, cool. I would be scared to see a kangaroo jumping in my yard. I hope they don't mess with your melons. Yes, these voles must pay. I'm going to get them somehow. Let me know how it goes with your kangaroos.

[@nvicentini5704]

anybody noticed any difference of what node to grow the melon on? like wether they are better on the end of the vine or the beginning?

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

I have not noticed a difference, but I never thought about it really.

[@JessieNihilist]

I water everyday. Sometimes 2x. It's been been so hot!

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Jessie!!! It has been so hot. I'm going back to irrigation. It takes me a long time to water.

[@JessieNihilist]

@@GrowSomethingTasty me too, I hate it.

[@defiancealex6611]

My issue is bugs that kill the stem

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

What kind of bugs? if it's squash bugs I have to pick those off. I hear kaolin clay works. I use it for my trees but will try it for my plants. The bugs do not like it and won't eat through it.

[@defiancealex6611]

@@GrowSomethingTasty no this was a magot like thing.

[@terrymcdermott8320]

Your on to it as

[@doradalton1647]

Why are my watermelons mushy in the in side

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY, Dora!!! I think the melons are over ripe. If thru are over ripe, they will get soft.

[@hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542]

MY only problem is the ground hogs and the deer eating them before I can pick any of them.

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Hunnybunny!!! I am sorry to hear. I don't have that problem but the voles are mine. I am trying everything to stop them.

[@hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542]

@@GrowSomethingTasty I hope some day to get some field crops put out, but part of this plan is putting out some "dazzler/warblers" [devices that both emit sounds and flashing lights] that will be set on motion sensors all around the (fenced) crop area.

[@hopemorrison2367]

Hey Bear

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Hope!!!!

[@hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542]

My next watermelon crop is gunna be up on the roof of my barn, so the ground hogs and deer can't eat them. That way I can harvest them at the end of the year.

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

Cool, that sounds like a great plant. Let me know how it goes. That is very interesting.

[@hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542]

@@GrowSomethingTasty I will be documenting it from start [setting up the trellis and the planter row ] through putting the melons on slings, to harvesting.

[@drwilliams-singh]

Okay

[@daviddixon5186]

I have 7 different melons

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY David!!! That is awesome.

[@denisemiller8474]

Mine were in tangled when I bought them in twos so I’m worried. If you water too much the vine splits also and if it gets cold at night. Put sulfur in the splits of the vine . It will heal but keep the molds and viruses out.

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY Denise!!!! Hopefully, they will be alright. Thanks for the tip, I did not know that. I appreciate it.

[@tclem2069]

Do you also grow chicken?

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY @tclem!!! No, I don't. The HOA would kill me if I had chickens.

[@I_LOVE_MY_GARDEN]

Hey bro you should try and grow and monster watermelon 🍉 and enter a contest see if you can win thank me for it later I will try to deems cool I am subscribed 😊 ❤ love you vids I would love to see me comment happen it has never been done no one sees mine but love the video

[@GrowSomethingTasty]

HEY, bro, thanks. I'm in a competition called Watermelon Warz. I did a video on it, but it does not look good. The voles are killing my plants. I never had them b4. They are around my giant plant. I have been out there today trying to save that plant. I need it for the win. I'm glad you loved the video. Thanks for subscribing, I appreciate it.