Watermelon Mistakes to Avoid at ALL COSTS!

Watermelon is summer's sweetest treat, but growing them can be challenging. Avoid these 6 watermelon growing mistakes (ALL ALL COSTS!), and learn how to fix them - for a juicy, abundant harvest of watermelon.
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DIGITAL TABLE OF CONTENTS: **Click on the time-stamp to re-watch your favorite part of the video.
00:00 Introduction
00:21 Mistake 1: Choosing the wrong variety
02:03 Mistake 2: Planting timing is off
05:03 Mistake 3: No enough support
09:05 Mistake 4: Fertilizing incorrectly
12:05 Mistake 5: Improper watering
13:51 Mistake 6: No pest & disease control plan
16:32 Watermelon Surprise!
IN THIS VIDEO:
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SOIL AMENDMENTS & FERTILIZER
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[@CaliKim29]

🍉What did you learn from this video? Let us know ⬇ Thanks for gardening with us! - CaliKim & CameraGuy ➡40% off CaliKim Seed Collections, CK Smart Pots and garden kits with code “SUMMER”, calikimgardenandhome.com. Ends 6.11.24. ➡June “Sizzling’ Summer Salad Station” Grow Your Groceries with CaliKim Connect+ Subscription Box: $20 off 1st box w/code “CONNECTJUNE”: bit.ly/CaliKimGrowYourGroceriesConnectPlusSubscriptionBox. Includes heat tolerant leafy green seeds, seed starting containers, soil, self-watering stake, and FREE canister of Monterey Lawn and Garden Sluggo Plus ($20 value). Available for limited time only.

[@deltorres2100]

Oh, I’m excited for this episode. I was actually very successful last year with the watermelon and melon or Canary melons and so I need to see this. Thank you.🍉

[@jaytoney3007]

Hi Kim. I'm still training my Sugar Baby watermelon to grow up the trellis. I have one on thr vine that is about the size of a tennis ball, and growing rapidly. I'm sure I saw at least one more tiny fruit. Growing in the same raised bed are Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe. I am finally seeing female flowera, so fruit soon. I am keeping my eye on a Thornburn's Terra-Cotta tomato. It needs just one more day to fully ripen, then it is harvest time, rain or shine. Nearly passing out, and avoiding falling over three times, I struggled to dig a planting hole for one of my peach trees. I got it two thirds finished before it started raining. I took it as a sign from God to stop digging. I'll finish planting the tree tomorro, weather providing. I'll also have beeteroot, cucumbers, and a tomato to harvest; the first tomato of the season. I've already harvested two dozen cucumbers and a bunch of peppers.

[@hmmm..2733]

I’ve made zero mistakes growing watermelon….because I’ve never tried to grow it before. This year is my first year, so I will take your advice. The trellis is getting reinforced tomorrow. Thank you!!

[@CaliKim29]

You can do it! And thanks for the LOL!!! You got this!!! CK

[@bonitaassure1565]

Hi Kim it's me Bonita from Cape Town South Africa tnx for telling me about watermelon because of you 5 years ago I started my garden for my mom she past away a year ago but I'm still doing it for her I don't know where to find sugar baby watermelon seeds here in Cape Town by us

[@CaliKim29]

Awwww, your story is so touching!!! Thank you for sharing that with us all. *hugs* for mom. Yes, getting my seeds abroad is quite a dilmnea, unless someone you know is traveling from here to you, that sort of thing, Bonita. Best, CaliKim

[@EffSharp]

Also: I got myself some ladder mesh and made an adorable trellis. It was hard to find. But finally found it at one Home Depot. Thank you guys again for making such a positive impact on my life. Gardening has truly lifted my spirits during some hard times. ❤

[@CaliKim29]

That is awesome - so happy to hear it, Eff. Gardening truly is therapeutic. We appreciate you letting us into your life! Glad you found ladder mesh- it's always available at my local Home Depot - so its easy to grab and make a quick trellis. Keep up posted how your melon like it!

[@bethb8276]

I learned when to back off nitrogen feedings, and when to slow down watering. Can't really control the monsoons we get in summer though. But I'm thinking if I grow in smart pots I could try covering them.

[@808.ladybugs]

🌺Aloha Kim, Got to do some succession planting, of our sugar babies, we're trying to do it in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of our garden to see which plant grows better. Btw, I finally got my zucchinis to grow. Growing more too in other beds....and doing the tomato trellis challenge🍅See you in your next video. Keep safe and stay cool (heard about those high temps). Mahalo🌈

[@Stephanie_Cumbie]

My sugar babies broke ground!!!! I’m so excited! It’s the first time. Note to put them with a good trellis. Thank you for the “show and tell” - it’s always helpful.

[@CaliKim29]

THIS IS SO EXCITING!!!! Nice, Stephanie, Yay!!!!! So happy for you!!

[@wademillar3302]

Thanks for these tips. The part about fungicide has hopefully explained why my water melons were a failure last season.

[@CaliKim29]

Hi Wade - oh no - sorry to hear that last year fungus was an issue. As the Powdery Mildew grows, there is not much green showing on the leaves to photosynthesize, which really affects the plant's growth. The good thing is, you've got a plan now - so this year will be better! Glad it helped.

[@AlSween]

I'm super excited to be growing 2 sugar baby watermelon plants up a cage. I have 2 melons that are about the size of softballs and this video gave me a great idea on how to make a hammock to support them.

[@CaliKim29]

Now THAT is exciting!!! Keep me posted, I love your enthusiasm about this!! Thank you for watching! Kim

[@iwant.a.pepper]

I finally came around to trying watermelon for the first time this season 🙌😆🙌 Hola Kim and Jerry 👋 Growing the Sugar Baby and the Moon and Star varieties and they doing well so far 🤞 So this video is perfectly timed for me! I’m trellising them upward and super excited about how quickly they are growing… anyways, fantastic video, thank you always for the helpful tips 🫶

[@CaliKim29]

Hello Baja!!!! You are growing so much! Keep it growing!! Glad the video was helpful - CK/CG

[@mplslawnguy3389]

First year trying watermelons. Have no idea what to expect. We had like 4 inches of rain in 2 days and they were sitting in standing water for a few days so I figured I'd lose them, but after about 4 days drying out, they seem to be fine and look like they are starting to put on new growth. Just going to let them grow in the ground and sprawl out like they do naturally and hope for the best.

[@CaliKim29]

How exciting! Just a few things that may help: Keep the soil well drained. Keep consistent moisture but NOT water logged (do not overlove them with water). And, apply mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture. Keep us posted!!! CaliKim Thank you for watching.

[@mplslawnguy3389]

@@CaliKim29 Thanks for the tips. Keeping my soil well-drained is a long term project in my clay, nothing that can be fixed immediately. Even though clay stays wet (and even overly dry sometimes), mulch helps. Not too deep, but it helps the water penetrate better without runoff. Clay is not as bad as some people like to make it out to be! It can be turned into a great soil to grow in, and has a lot of benefits. Too much rain can be a problem, but luckily I don't usually get that here, that's only an occasional occurrence.

[@meysam9]

That's great 😊

[@silentvoiceinthedark5665]

Last year I planted honey dews, deer at most of them but I enjoyed a few good ones. This year I think I am going to enjoy some venison

[@CaliKim29]

Very nice!!! It's always something....the deer, etc. the garden is ongonig!!! Keep it up!! Kim

[@juliewenn3890]

What did you use for the compost once you were a month in? You called it a top dressing. Thanks

[@suravijoshi758]

Great tutorial! Thank you!

[@CaliKim29]

You're very welcome, Josh - glad it was helpful. Are you growing watermelon this summer? Thanks for stopping by!

[@suravijoshi758]

Me and my friend are trying to grow sugar baby watermelon in a community garden for the first time. Your video will help not to make any mistakes. ❤

[@CaliKim29]

Good to hear but keep in mind, mistakes are okay!!! Just correct the course afterwards, that's alright!

[@katkinslow]

Your dog is so cute❤

[@CaliKim29]

Aww, thanks. Mac, Border Collie Mix, 13 years, a laid back border collie - which is okay by me! Thank you, Kat' !!! CaliKim

[@stephaniegee227]

Great video! We debated what to plant this year, and we're trying a small honeydew melon for the first time. Can the tips here also work for honeydews?

[@CaliKim29]

Thank you, glad it was helpful, Stephanie. You can't follow the same tips straight across from watermelons to honeydew, there are some differences, as well (too many to list here). I would do a deep dive on the topic first! CK

[@EffSharp]

The seeds I got from you are doing great! Fingers crossed I don’t kill my plants. 😂

[@CaliKim29]

Appreciate the feedback on the seeds! You got this!

[@reneegrubbs990]

Hi Kim! I’ve got a couple of sugar babies growing but haven’t seen them get any bigger in the last couple of weeks. There’s no end-rot or disease I can see and they are on a regular feeing schedule but they’re just not getting larger. Am I doing something wrong?

[@h.sinclair]

Another great tutorial @CaliKim29 thanks! Just grabbed some of that Monterey online, sounds like a good investment. Fired up a porch garden and my porch has loads of mites all over the place... dunno if they're harmful or not but they moved in and are not paying rent!

[@CaliKim29]

Glad it was helpful!! As for applying Monterey - if possible, apply in early AM and early evening! Thanks for the giggles - CK

[@h.sinclair]

@@CaliKim29 thanks Kim - just to clarify - first application once in the morning and again in the evening? Also, I meant to ask, can or "should" this be used on all plants? I have chive tomato squash peas basil spearmint 4 kinds of peppers, wheat grass chard, lettuces, rocket, cantelope and watermelon - good for all? cheers

[@keithrodz6485]

Hi kim I have to restart my watermelon seed than i plant them in my smartpots 🍉🍉

[@CaliKim29]

Ok, startovers, those are okay, right, Keith!!!? Keep us posted CK

[@santaanaroadwildman3614]

I remember when u grew the Ali Baba! I need Complete Disease Control!

[@fyrehawkSix]

How many sugar babies do you let grow on one vine in the air pots or small raised bed. It looks like 2-5 but I am curious, do you pinch off the flowers and prune the extra vines back or let them go?

[@CaliKim29]

2-3 at most. It can be beneficial to pinch off some of the early flowers or small fruits to prioritize the growth of a few larger fruits. This is especially important if the plant is young or if you notice it is struggling to support multiple fruits. To manage space and encourage the plant's energy toward fruit production, you can prune back any excessive vines or side shoots. Focus on maintaining the main vine and a few productive side branches. I hope this helps! CaliKim

[@juliekovach9784]

Last year I grew Sugar Baby Watermelons with 2 plants in a 15 gallon #Smart Pot with the double tomato cage trellis and they were delicious. Have you grown a large watermelon in a #Smart Pot? If so, what size and how did you trellis it. I am experimenting with growing a seedless watermelon this year which requires putting 2 seedless plants and 1 seeded plant in proximity to one another in order to achieve cross-pollination. What size pot would you recommend?

[@CaliKim29]

Hey Julie! I've only grown the smaller sizes in Smart Pots, but it certainly can be done with a larger size melon! I'd suggest at least a 30 gallon, but their 100 gallon would be fantastic! Then just modify the A frame trellis to fit the space. If you want a pre-made trellis, I love the Gardeners Tall Titan Trellis. Super sturdy, very durable. I have several and they've lasted me for years already with no sign of wear. Pick them up at gardeners.com, make sure you get the tall ones. And don't forget to use the code calikim for 10% off at smartpots.com! Keep me posted!

[@juliekovach9784]

Kim, I have the Tall Titans to put my tomatoes in this year!

[@angelaraum1545]

I have a issue with squirrels. I've found one of my smart pots the squirrels have put big holes in them. Any idea to deter. I'm about to replace to plastic or metal.

[@CaliKim29]

Yes, this is. real and very frustrating problem. I cannot think of anything except, be on the livestream this Monday, 12pm...I have both SmartPot AND Monterey Lawn and Garden care...you could ask that very question, Angela. This battle is real. I am sorry my delay! Kim

[@JJamiah]

Those watermelons don’t look ripe yet!