WATERMELON GROWING GUIDE: From Seed to Harvest

[@Itsdacookielady]

A few years ago a bird dropped a seed in an open part of my yard and I watered the plant not knowing what it was. I had the best watermelon and so many that I shared with several of my neighbors. I saved seeds and have been growing them every year since. I’ve also planted dessert king seeds a few days ago and I’m in Glendale Arizona 🌵🌞 🍉

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Love that!

[@SD-xs3py]

KZbin will not let me give a thumbs up. So thumbs up. Thank you!

[@LadyAlyseGrandmaGamer]

I love your channel. We used to live in Phoenix and that's when I found your channel. But now we are in Dewey at about 4500 feet. I still watch you for great tips. I do wish there was a gardener like you in this colder climate. :)

[@lindag9975]

Thanks! I love my Sugar Baby watermelons here in the Phoenix area. Just picked a delicious one this week. Small yard, so this variety works for me.

[@melindaroth5796]

Great information Angela ❤😊 Thank you so much for teaching us all ❤😊

[@jeanjones7486]

I don't usually watch a ton of growers. Where I live I probably couldn't plant watermelon. But I love and enjoy watching and learning and getting inspiration from you and I appreciate it immensely!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

So nice of you, thank you.

[@claudettehernandez3402]

I love the seedless variety which you must plant the pollinator and both are personal melons, one oblong one round. Delicious!

[@AmericanPatriot-1776]

I decided to edge out most of the pests by steel meshing and wind break plastic and 40% shade cloth. Just picked up 5 gallons of compost from our local yard for free and have been mixing with our good potting soil (I got the soil from an FBI busted illegal marijuana farm, they had a huge pile left behind). Am going to plant watermelon right in the middle of August and keep my eyes and fingers crossed. Your ideas are ALWAYS wonderful, you are SO GOOD. Thank you!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Thank you and best of luck to you!

[@barbaracole4314]

I'm in garden northern CA but grew up in Hermiston, Or. It's considered the watermelon capital... never had to buy any It was everywhere and many ppl grew in their backyard, never have tried to grow any but you inspire me to try next spring in my planter beds.

[@alexsilva9536]

Cantaloupes are soooo YUMMY

[@IsabelleDelbridge]

That was awesome. I can't wait to start my garden in Florence!

[@joydavis4087]

Such great info. I learned some things I didn’t know. Ty. ❤

[@patricepennywell1628]

Great information. I'm looking to start a garden shortly. Will start small, definitely in the spring. Cantaloupe, watermelon, sweet potatoes, and many others are on my list. I love your channel. I'm in so cal 10b. Keep up the great work.

[@emylytle5409]

I think I planted my seeds late and yes I have rodents but last year they didn’t eat my lemon drop watermelon 🍉😊🙏🏻😊👩‍🌾👍👍 thank you Angela I have to watch my fruit and maybe hang them high with net. Take care

[@JK_341]

i knew about the tendril next to the melon stem needing to dry but didn't know about three of them drying as being a good sign. as for our favorite watermelon, blacktail mountain is our go to variety here.

[@elainejohnson6488]

Oh my, so much time and even more things to go wrong for one watermelon in a 4x4 bed. Is it worth it for? Something we will ponder until spring. Thanks!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

If you have the room they are worth it over the summer for all of the delicious fruit - but if space is an issue it may not be.

[@sarahmunoz14]

I love watermelon but gave up the real estate for pumpkins. They are inexpensive to buy in season in SoCal. Maybe I’ll try one again next summer.

[@maries3609]

Thank you ❤😊

[@dn744]

Thank you 😊

[@MichaelGawesebmainone]

I failed to grow water melon last year when I first started. Some died in transplanting didn’t know they like their roots in tact. Pest love them and another group died cause I tried to save on water. I’m trying this year again, though I find cantaloupe to be more new grower friendly and not so susceptible to pest apart from birds which you can manage by covering the fruit with paper.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

I agree that cantaloupe is easier to grow. Best of luck with your efforts this year!

[@alissacowan153]

I like Mini Heirloom Yellow Watermelon. They grow fast here. They are the size of large grapefruits. I'm in Downtown Phoenix zone 10a. Planted them near my basil and it brings the bees at the perfect time!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Thanks for the tip!

[@LividGiraffe17]

Great information!

[@theroyalcrane]

I lost this year against the mexican bean beetles. I'm on my last 3 backup plants.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Shoot! Sorry to hear that!

[@sleepingwithmygun5600]

Desert Kings grow the best here if you like that type.

[@ssantac]

What fertilizer do you recommend? Great vid as always!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

This is the one I use: amzn.to/3ADb2Gj

[@sengataylor9274]

So much good information thank you! I am from Roma Queensland, Australia. It is real dry and hot here. Can I grow the watermelon all through the summer? Thank you!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Yes, it grows well through the summer. Hello from Arizona.

[@theutopitarian]

I live in las vegas, and we threw some watermelon seeds in the garden after we were done eating it in july. Now I have some vines growing that are about a foot long. What's the likelihood of us seeing any fruit?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

You might get some fruit. We've still got some warm weather ahead of us. I hope you do!

[@shotgunbettygaming]

One thing I'd like to know is how you handle or deal with grasshoppers. I don't recall you mentioning them before but I'm sure I've missed some videos! This year was really really bad and though I had trap crops, they just swarmed. It's a yearly thing and I do acknowledge that we're in an El Nino year, they'll still be back next year. I have black widows I keep my eyes on all around the place and they take care of some, the wasps take care of some, but they are SO numerous! WHAT do you do?!

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

I generally hand pick the ones I can catch - like you say other predators help - birds too.

[@jessegeluz1072]

How long do watermelons grow in zone 9b, AZ? Appreciate all your help ❤

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

They like the heat - they grow well through about October.

[@jessegeluz1072]

Thank you for the response ❤. Does the fish fertilizer have enough of the phospherus and potassium?

[@bethb8276]

Georgia Rattlesnake watermelon, and Sugar Baby.

[@jessegeluz1072]

Do you take off the side shoots or not a requirement? I see many gardeners say to take them off.

[@jessegeluz1072]

@GrowingInTheGarden. Just needing your amazing tips. I always wonder if we make up extra rules not needed.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

I keep all the leaves but will remove extra fruit. The leaves provide energy for the fruit - I like to leave as many as I can.

[@jessegeluz1072]

@@GrowingInTheGarden awesome, ty so much. I appreciate your advice. Have an awesome night. Happy gardening ♥️

[@samuraioodon]

I’m currently battling rats! As a first time gardener, so stressed that I have no harvest so far. All have been demolished. North Texas

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

So sorry. Rat traps and a dog help my garden with those. They are a frustrating pest for sure.

[@samuraioodon]

@@GrowingInTheGarden would love to see a video or short of what kind of trap you use. I used caged and sticky pads but they preferred to destroy mostly my vines; melons, cucumber and even sweet potatoes.

[@mohamadkermani1684]

Thank you very much, a question if you allow me, is it possible to use one male flower to fertilize several female flowers?

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

yes, although the watermelon blossoms are tiny and usually have plenty of males. Use more than one if you can.

[@mohamadkermani1684]

​@@GrowingInTheGarden Thank you, ma’am. If you allow me to ask another question, I have a problem, which is that I found that all my flowers are male. Is there a reason for that? Knowing that I fertilized 19 days ago with a balanced 20 NPK fertilizer and I fertilized again five days ago and today I fertilized with water and waste from the ornamental fish tank. Thank you very much

[@debraparker1550]

When is the best time to plant pumpkin. I live in Santan Valley.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Early spring or again in July or August

[@JohnUbanaOttoh]

Let me know the different types and wish would be good for me in southern part of Nigeria where l am. Thanks.

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

Most varieties would probably grow well.

[@tory464]

💚👍

[@claudettehernandez3402]

Rolex poleys like wood

[@jessegeluz1072]

Whats your advice against rats? I have seen gardeners use window screening to cover it. Any thoughts?

[@jessegeluz1072]

@GrowingInTheGarden

[@GrowingInTheGarden]

These are the traps I use: amzn.to/3Xzqyek Use them consistently until you don't see them any more. That has taken care if it for me.