How To Grow HUGE Watermelons!

[@CastleGirl]

I tried to grow watermelons last year, I got one golf ball size watermelon and I thought to myself, welp I may not make this coming apocalypse. 😂😂

[@JayTX.]

Have one in my apocalypse garden now you gave me no hope 🤣

[@CastleGirl]

@@JayTX. Glad I could help 😂😂😂 We will have to eat dandelions I can grow those with no effort. 😁

[@exaviermcnair7252]

😂😂😂😂

[@jeff20583]

Lol. Sound just like me.

[@sirtango1]

I tried growing them in the garden for years with no luck. Ate a store bought watermelon and spit the seeds off of the front porch and grew watermelons! 😃🤪

[@stevenjames1951]

I'm growing my water melon in grow bags with worm castings potting soil but not having any results I'm thinking the plants are in to hot of a soil. Can you help me with this at all

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Watermelons really need more room than you can get in a grow bag. Maybe need to hit them with some 20-20-20-

[@emdeejay7432]

Seeded watermeloms taste better anyways. And the seedless never get as big. I grew up with gigantic seed watermelons and thats what I wanna grow. I'm with you on that one!

[@liamsdad33]

Absolutely

[@user-ki3dj9pu9y]

Man, I wasn't even thinking about growing watermelon, but I saw this dudes face in the thumbnail and said "this dude KNOWS what he's talking about, I'm gonna watch anyways". And hey f#@k it, I got a pack of watermelon seeds, let's do this

[@TXDHC]

My grandpa grew the best watermelon in the sandy soil of lower Delaware. He'd take me out in the garden, cut a watermelon from the vine after plunking it then say, we're just going to eat the very best part. Taking his pocket knife he'd cut out the heart and bury the rest. What I now know as composting! I'm 63 and have not been successful growing watermelons even here in our sugar sand soil of East Texas.

[@yolo_burrito]

I did Blacktail Mountain variety in South Florida with no problems.

[@josephleehamm]

Did he use drip tape?

[@JayTX.]

From East Texas as well , giving it a shot this year

[@natemitch]

This is my 3rd year trying, so fingers crossed I can pull it off!

[@susanmyer1]

This will be our second year. No luck last year.

[@Allison-Brooke]

I grew them last year for the first year and they got big and were beautiful but soft when I cut into them. Not sure why but hoping for better luck this year.

[@Hlijae]

@@Allison-Brooke they said too much watering during the melons growing period.

[@jonnu7772000]

I have always like the Charleston gray watermelons, they are very sweet.

[@joshuajesch7154]

Love your videos. They have helped me be a better gardener. This is my 3rd year growing crimson sweet watermelons. I live in garden zone 4a and have had great luck growing them inside of old used car tires planted directly outside as seeds. I had trouble in heavy rains with my plants washing when planted right in the soil. In the tires the weed pressure is way easier to control and they don't wash if we get a heavy soaker

[@GODiscomingsoonagain]

Thanks GOD for this fruit such a delicious fruit HE make

[@carrollsanders9376]

I have raised South Carolina Giant haven't had much luck with them can't get them any bigger than 180 pounds. Love the Brown sugar variety of yellow water melon.

[@drivin69]

i agree about the watermelons these new seedless are just not as sweet as the good old ones..

[@PhilipWilson2]

I HATE "seedless" Watermelon 🍉!! The seeds always add that slight sourness to the sugary taste. The seedless Watermelon 🍉 does NOT taste good, ((AT ALL))!

[@slomo1716]

Greg, you're showing your age with that GROOVY GREAT music added to this video. I don't like watermelon BUT I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!! You and your Misses are the SMARTEST GARDENERS ON THE INTERNET!!! THANK YOU!!!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thank you kindly

[@ZinfandelRed1914]

Thank you for sharing the seed type and it's characteristics, that's so often overlooked, well done! :D I was also glad to hear you believe the drip is important. It makes sense too, they require a lot of energy to grow that big. One of the few things in life where you can say, I want my girls as fat as possible!

[@truthseeker3977]

Greg, we planted 375 watermelon transplants today (on your drip tape) in SE Louisiana too. I hear your purple martins. Can you make a video on beneficial birds in the garden? Just a thought. We have purple martin gourds and houses along with bluebird houses around our garden plots. Our bluebirds feed on INSECTS in the garden and the martins grab there INSECTS in the air. As you know, martins are pure entertainment while bustin' open melons. 😀

[@matthewsoules7064]

Never heard of Martins, do they live in TN I'd love to watch them do their thang.

[@royalandrosey]

Yes. I want that nitty gritty... So when I go fishin in the dark with my gal I'll have some sweet water melons to eat hahhaa.

[@brianrichards7006]

I've bought seeds from Hoss the past two years. The varieties are excellent, and shipment is lightening fast. I recommend them.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for sharing

[@jonnu7772000]

As a teenager we would cut tobacco and the man we worked for always had a huge watermelon patch with large melons and we would cut for awhile then take a watermelon break. Good ole days.

[@gm7304]

1st time here. Great video. Thank You.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Welcome.

[@blackpackhomesteadchrisand7337]

Watermelons have always been a friend. I love the little sugar babies. They are a favorite.

[@davidmccartney1017]

Greg, what is a minimum of watermelon plants in one row I should plant? I watched one of your videos where you said ( I think) 8 plants per row. However, I just want one row. So would that be alright in my case?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

yes, you should be fine.

[@dirtybirdznlithoniaco9835]

Where do you find the watermelon plants like sangria in Tupelo Ms …I’m ready to grow some and Would like the little tray you have to just lay them in hole like you did ,I’ve been looking online with no luck and I’m new to the area ,retired military

[@gardeningwithhoss]

No where that we know of.

[@livinginthealgarveportugal3357]

I am a watermelon 🍉 farmer totally organic, I’ve been undercut with the supermarket which are not organic….ive been told people don’t want organic they want cheap now I’m selling my melons at 35 cents a kilo in Portugal 🇵🇹

[@TheWisendorf]

Ok Hoss, I got to tell you that water mellons are like women. There is the big ones and there is the little ones, But the only EPIC ones are the sweet ones. Am I right,, LOL LOve you guy.

[@Cleophus91]

I can eat seeded watermelon all day. Come to think about it, I started a compost hill in my backyard a few weeks ago and had a watermelon sprout pop up right in top of it from a watermelon rinds I threw in there. Think I'll let it grow and see how it does. Never tried to grow one. I've seen em grow in odd places tho. One time I was at work way out in the middle of this lay down yard in a chemical plant and seen a few of em growing in the ditch next to the fence. Guess somebody was eating watermelon and dropped a few seeds. Another time I was walking through this field and found one growing wasn't nothing but grass no trees around. It was huge. I cut it open and man it was the sweetest watermelon I ever ate. Plus watermelon and there seeds are great for muscle growth and repair and they widen your blood vessels.

[@desertdreamer2083]

Thank you for the video. I might have to try the irrigation idea next planting season. I have lots of watermelon transplants this year. Fortunately, the Sugar Baby and Crimson Sweet plants that I planted have been very forgiving when it comes to watering. I did a 30 second time lapse video of them recovering from wilting remarkably fast! Hopefully, before July 4th, I will be graced with the presence of many new, green, spherical friends!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Sounds great!

[@americanjock2007]

I use soaker hoses

[@oklahomachris6298]

What you think about the black diamond watermelon?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

I like it too. Very juicy

[@oklahomachris6298]

@@gardeningwithhoss haven’t had a good one in a really long time since my grandpa passed. Correct me here but aren’t a slight seedless melon?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

yes less seeds

[@wileyt8423]

Grandpa grew some great black diamonds in Jackson TN

[@Tessaogle79]

I REALLY enjoyed this video!!!!♡

[@dgc940]

Ive grown some beautiful watermelons in buckets over here in Texas. had some upwards 12-18lbs but all my neighbors have pecan trees and the aphids kill the plants and the melons dont ripen so aggravating

[@ssweeps]

What about milk instead of water?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Never used milk on watermelons.

[@keralee]

What on earth would I do with a huge watermelon? I like little bitty ones--single person with small fridge. And its not an item easily preserved.

[@dirtysouthhc2936]

Hassan miss the days of my pap all being alive he always had a garden close on an acre or two. Till he got he did this in his free time and you best believe if the girls come over to see me, they were snapping peas canning stuff on me and Papaw were cracking open a fat juicy watermelon every summer missing my grandfather in the man he is rubbed off I'm starting to grow watermelons this year along with lots of other things

[@amandasanders7373]

Brother Greg, I’m in Gonzales ,TX. Same latitude as you are. Is May too late to plant watermelons?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

If you already have transplants, it would be fine. If from seed, maybe to late, but worth trying

[@Mallardman795]

When you see an old fella standing in a garden wearing overalls and talkin’ bout “wootermelons” you better listen up because he’s about to drop some knowledge.

[@Wordsalad69420]

I thought starting watermelons in pots is a no go because they get easily root bound and don’t like their roots disturbed. I also thought you always plant them in mounds.

[@gloriaenciso2917]

Can I just have 1 plant if I plant a seeded variety? I’ve always wanted to grow watermelon. Don’t have much space, but willing to use it to get a nice sweet juicy one.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

While all things are possible, I would not recommend planting just one.

[@FC-cz6zd]

Thanks for another great video. 1st year trying in a raised bed. Got your Jubilee seeds started in trays. Honestly not expecting too much but more of a learning year. Also, thank you for such quick shipping. Got some corn and flower seeds showing up today. Always makes for a good day!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Great to hear!

[@littlewing5682]

How did your jubilee melons do? Was thinking of trying them next year

[@FC-cz6zd]

@@littlewing5682 they did well for the 1st try. Couple things learned... 1. Down here in zone 9b, get them in the ground earlier. When the high heat and humidity hit, disease did its dirty work fast. I think the dirt/sand in my small backyard has a bacterial problem. The plants did fantastic up to the point of the heat and humidity. Got 3 melons, 2 edible, biggest 30+ lbs. 2. Variety too big for my space. May try a smaller variety in a large pot this next go around.

[@philhicks2167]

A dash of pepper never hurts either. Saw your other video!

[@philhicks2167]

With salt

[@Vibranttorch]

Lovely video’ extremely informative thank you brother 👍🏻

[@gardeningwithhoss]

My pleasure

[@clifforddaniels5877]

Thanks for your help bud

[@jessicacupps9579]

This is very helpful for how to grow watermelon 🍉! Thank you very much ❤ 😊!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for visiting

[@reneebrown2968]

Watermelon tends to drown here. You get big pretty TASTELESS melons. I live in coastal Alabama about 25 miles inland. I grew up on dryland farmed Watermelon that were so sweet you could go into sugar coma, in Central California. We watered our melons 2 times. 1st when you plant the seed then about a month later when you filled in the missing melons that got ate by ground squirrels or didn't come up. Thinking I may try to plant one in a straw bale. See if it will grow and sweeten up compared to what grew in my land last summer.

[@tommathews3964]

Try raising them on "mounds" or raised rows. I lived in Mobile for years and that was the only way I could really grow them there. You know how much it rains in Mobile!

[@reneebrown2968]

@@islami658 i live in southern Alabama. Not enough sun is never a problem. Too much water is though. Too much water makes big tasteless melons

[@singncarpenter6270]

Absolute truth. My favorite moments in my garden are harvesting melons. It's not the easiest thing to get right, but when you do it's amazing. The only varieties I have grown so far is Jubilee and Tam cantaloupe, but this year I'm trying two more watermelon varieties. I put that Sangria variety on my list for next year. Thanks for sharing your tips.

[@brianwayne3735]

How’s it coming? 🍉🍉

[@lorrainestone]

Do you start your plants from a seed or buy the plants?

[@albertweis7669]

Seed

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We use our seeds.

[@billywarren3070]

U prefer flat planted

[@gregorycrisp179]

Thanks for the knowledge

[@gardeningwithhoss]

My pleasure

[@Ricks2Cents]

Great Video! I just spoke to Debra over the phone I’ll be ordering a 15m Drip Irrigation System.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks Rick

[@Ricks2Cents]

@@gardeningwithhoss I’ll post a video & drop a link.

[@DavidCottrell-lb5iv]

What is the best cover crop to use in zone 9? Would like to start doing that

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Hairy Vetch and Kodiak Brown Mustard

[@stevetrivago]

I’m 52 years old and I’ve put in a few dozen tomato plants, peppers, beans , cucumbers, peas mainly… I’d stick them in the ground, water them a few times and eventually the weeds would take over and I’d wonder why I didn’t get much of a yield.. This year I am putting 100% into it..Boy am I grateful for all the wisdom and knowledgeable guidance… I think I’ll pass on the H2O melon 🍉 this year, but thanks for the inspiration information…

[@denisemiller8474]

You remind me of my grand pops . He loved water melon and I live on water melon when I can find it in season. I absolutely hate the water melon they sell at the grocery stores in winter. And the seedless water melon. No flavor at all. I like my seeds and sweet crunch when I bite into my watermelon. Forget all nursery grown brands. Farm fresh is the best. Thank you for this video. I live in Washington and I’ve tried growing them but with no success. We moved to the eastern part of the state so it’s a bit dryer and warmer. I’m growing in raised beds . Hopefully I can have success this year. Thanks pops . ❤

[@glonlanagan1741]

😢 I'm gonna be lucky to plant 4 watermelon seeds with the little space I have.

[@preppedforeternityhomestea2848]

Greg Question day before yeasterday our Jubilee watermelons looking great we harvested 66 pounder 59 pounder etc. went out yeasterday and both plants dead. The sugar baby are looking fine any ideas?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Check the stem and see if it got chewed on or if it looks diseased?

[@gloriasingleton728]

I love the Georgia rattle snake melon. And yellow melons. Jubilee are good. Charleston Grey's good. I'm going to try and cross them

[@johnstanley8091]

Kind of like your mother inlaws love you gotta be gentle...

[@baperacks-com6801]

Isn't the ditch in between the mounds supposed to be for water?

[@mckaybridges9229]

I know just the guy to buy some sangria watermelon seeds from too ;)

[@alexandergennaro8596]

You want good watermelon go to Georgia best in the world!

[@livefromtheground7274]

Seeded watermelons get my vote!!’

[@dincherremziev9436]

I’m a farmer and I have made watermelon that weighs 27KG. Around 80 tons of watermelon per One hectare I repeat one hectare I know ppl who make over 120 tons per hectare. We use the roots of a pumpkin and watermelon SORENTO by Syngenta. The crops are 5 meters apart because they make huge and very tasty watermelons we use the term mulching to make sure no decease comes up. And the vegetation period it’s like 60-70 days top !

[@theradicalaxe553]

Have you looked into electroculture to speed up growing time?

[@skyangel6336]

I've got a small garden and have never grown watermelon till this year and only did a 4 watermelons just to see how they'd do and they did pretty good..I grew the All sweet and didn't know they would grow more than one watermelon per vine lol So now I'm wondering what liquid fertlizer I need to use on them now....Some of the new vines look green but the old ones are going yellow

[@gardeningwithhoss]

20-20-20

[@TrayWilliams-ef8xg]

Do you sell seeds?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

yes we do, see link below growhoss.com/collections/premium-garden-seeds

[@Gymngardengains]

Thank ya! All I needed!!!

[@exotictones1054]

What about behind beets?for watermelons.should you pull the root ball apart alittle before planting? I was told that by a really farmer.i don't do it cause I think it causes to much damage n slows em way down.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

OK to plant after beets. We never pull the root ball apart. Never let it get to that point before planting.

[@KrazyKajun602]

can you plant watermelons and canteloupe's in the same plot? Also how many days before transplanting should you start your seeds in the trays?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

yes you can, 4 weeks

[@timdarmetko4039]

I grow so many varieties ...I love so many . interesting ones I like are Art Combe's ancient , and native american yellow meat . ( both seeded) 9b

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for sharing!

[@AllenUtley]

Great video! I definitely learnt a lot here! Thank you so much!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad it was helpful!

[@oldfarmhand8682]

When you plant that close do you typically have just one variety or could you mix varieties and still plant closely

[@gardeningwithhoss]

just one

[@BeNiceorBeQuiet]

Hi I’ve 6 watermelon plants out of 9 seeds! 1 plant the biggest so far is doing great so my question is is it bad to feed them in July and august?

[@BeNiceorBeQuiet]

I’ve a sibling that absolutely hates any form of gardening I mean despises it n that’s worse than finding a worm in your cabbage garden! I wish I had a friend who loves gardening and wants to talk about it all day! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Excess nitrogen will just result in superfluous foliage and the growth of the vine, and will not nourish the fruit

[@BeNiceorBeQuiet]

@@gardeningwithhoss ok! Is there any other fertilizer I can use? Like maybe potassium or phosphorus! I know my plants 🪴 like bananas and whole dry milk powder!

[@gigisfuntime20]

What is your watering schedule with the drip tape?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Depends on the weather and temps. Below is from our Hoss University Watermelon growing guide. Watermelon Irrigation Requirements Irrigation for your watermelon plants is one of, if not the most important, aspects of growing healthy watermelons. We always recommend using a drip tape irrigation system for several reasons. 1. Once the watermelons have developed a strong vine and foliage, getting water to the root system can be difficult with overhead watering. 2. Watermelons, in general, have typical disease issues. Drip irrigation will help keep moisture off the leaves and at the root system where it’s needed the most. Extended leaf wetness can easily cause disease in your crop. 3. Watermelons don’t do well under stress and improper irrigation is a major stress factor on plants. Drip irrigation ensures each plant is is getting the required amount of moisture. Overall, the rule of thumb when growing watermelons is that watermelon plants require 1″ - 2″ of water per week while they are growing and producing flowers and fruits. Depending on your zone, if you have more rain during the summer, be sure and account for extra moisture in your irrigation schedule. Once the melons start to produce, decreasing the amount of water weekly will help give you a sweeter fruit during harvesting.

[@jeffmartin693]

Better get after them weeds in the onions.... good tips on the melons!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

you wasn't suppose to notice them.

[@bosatsu76]

First year to try watermelons... City lot, but I've built great garden soil... About how much water do you give each plant in a day or week... Those drip tapes are rated at g/hr/ft I think... So how long do you run water through them... On a timer I would think...

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Here is a link to our hoss university which for each plant discusses water needs hosstools.com/watermelon-growing-guide/ Overall, the rule of thumb when growing watermelons is that watermelon plants require 1″ - 2″ of water per week while they are growing and producing flowers and fruits. Depending on your zone, if you have more rain during the summer, be sure and account for extra moisture in your irrigation schedule. Once the melons start to produce, decreasing the amount of water weekly will help give you a sweeter fruit during harvesting.

[@bosatsu76]

@@gardeningwithhoss Thank you

[@shamshersinghfarmernews884]

👍 🌾 🌺 🍍 🍎 🍊 🍅 🍇 🌱 💚

[@GetUnrealistic]

great video

[@been7082]

Did u cover your drip lines with soil..

[@gardeningwithhoss]

yes

[@LandOfJuncoville]

What about keeping deer and other animals away? Also I’ve heard they do better direct seeding. Does it matter? Thanks 😊

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We do both, we do have a perimeter fence

[@LandOfJuncoville]

@@gardeningwithhoss thank you 🙏🏼

[@kevinmenard6395]

If we're successful getting the watermelons to produce, roughly how long will they last if kept under a good shady spot as you recommend? A few days, weeks, couple of months? Always enjoy the videos and knowledge!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

In our hot South Georgia weather we can get them to last 2-3 weeks.

[@kevinmenard6395]

@@gardeningwithhoss Thank you so much, great point of reference!

[@cyruseguilos2703]

Mmm

[@jonnu7772000]

Watermelons don't like nitrogen but they do like potash and phosphorus so if your using a bag fertilizer get the first number as low as you can and the other two numbers as high as you can, and contrary to belief watermelons don't like a lot of water. Learned this from a friend that grew them for competition and grew one that weighted 104 lbs on a very dry year where even everyone's lawns were drying up and sounded crunchy when you walked on it.

[@janamiles597]

❤

[@cyruseguilos2703]

Po

[@cleroyster2610]

Are you in Georgia?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Yes

[@gsweater9172]

I really wish this was in English. I don't speak Trump.

[@Bateluer]

Tried watermelons last year, but I made the mistake of putting them in my raised beds. They quickly overgrew the beds, which I thought was awesome. but they quickly succumbed to disease after that. Looked like the Venom symbiont from Spiderman had infected them. The small depression the weight of the raised beds makes caused water to pool at the base, so all the vines outside of the beds rotted. I only got 2 watermelons from them. Not sure I want to try again or not, I've fairly limited space available to use.

[@ronniebuck2954]

WASTED EFFORT == HUGE MELONS DON'T TASTE GOOD

[@bigstud98]

Crimson sweet watermelon! OMG! I grew them and boy o boy they were very SWEET ,crisp and juicy with seeds of course. Nebraska here

[@verawallace9055]

I have some seeds, could you please tell me about the fertilizer that you used, I would like to grow some

[@bigstud98]

@@verawallace9055 miracle gro

[@verawallace9055]

@@bigstud98 Thank you, I already have some that i mostly used in my flowers garden, with excellent results

[@michaelleestevens2194]

HEY G.MORNING BIG GUY NICE VIDEO, BE SAFE AND TAKE CARE DIRT FARMER MICHAEL USNAVYRETIRED ORG. FROM GA. LIVING IN THE COUNTRY OF PANAMA.ALWAYS WISHING THAT YOU AND YOUR ARE WELL ALWAYS.THANKS.KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks 👍