How To Plant Watermelons In The Ground

To plant watermelons in the ground, you need a sunny spot, warm soil, and a little patience.
 
Watermelons love heat, so planting them in the ground at the right time is key to getting sweet, juicy fruit.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to plant watermelons in the ground, you’re in the right place.
 
It’s not complicated, but there are a few things you need to get right.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to plant watermelons in the ground step by step.
 
We’ll cover soil prep, spacing, watering, and more.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Plant Watermelons in the Ground

Planting watermelons in the ground starts with choosing the right spot and timing.
 
Watermelons need full sun and plenty of space to sprawl.
 
Here’s how to plant watermelons in the ground the right way.
 

1. Wait for Warm Soil

Watermelons are tropical plants, so they hate cold soil.
 
You should plant watermelons in the ground only after the last frost has passed.
 
The soil temperature should be at least 70°F (21°C) for seeds to germinate.
 
If you plant watermelons in the ground too early, the seeds will rot or the seedlings will stall.
 
A soil thermometer helps you check this before you plant watermelons in the ground.
 

2. Pick a Sunny Spot

To plant watermelons in the ground, choose a spot that gets 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight.
 
Watermelons won’t sweeten up without enough sun.
 
The more sun, the better when you plant watermelons in the ground.
 
Avoid areas shaded by trees or buildings.
 

3. Prepare the Soil

Watermelons like loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
 
Before you plant watermelons in the ground, mix in compost or aged manure.
 
A soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8 is ideal.
 
You can also form raised mounds or hills about 6 inches tall.
 
This helps warm the soil and improves drainage when you plant watermelons in the ground.
 

4. Plant the Seeds or Seedlings

You can plant watermelons in the ground from seed or transplants.
 
If using seeds, plant them 1 inch deep in groups of 2 to 3 per hill.
 
Space your hills 3 to 5 feet apart in rows 6 to 8 feet apart.
 
If you plant watermelons in the ground as seedlings, wait until they have 2 to 3 true leaves.
 
Handle the roots gently when you plant watermelons in the ground.
 

5. Water Deeply but Not Too Often

After you plant watermelons in the ground, water them deeply.
 
Then wait until the top inch of soil dries out before watering again.
 
Watermelons have deep roots, so shallow frequent watering weakens them.
 
Once fruit starts forming, keep the soil evenly moist.
 
But reduce watering as the fruit ripens to avoid bland, watery melons.
 

Caring for Watermelons After Planting in the Ground

Once you plant watermelons in the ground, the work isn’t over.
 
Here’s how to keep them thriving.
 

1. Mulch Around the Plants

Mulching helps retain moisture and suppresses weeds.
 
After you plant watermelons in the ground, spread straw or plastic mulch around the base.
 
This also keeps the fruit clean and off the soil.
 

2. Fertilize Wisely

Watermelons need nitrogen early on and more phosphorus and potassium later.
 
When you plant watermelons in the ground, mix a balanced fertilizer into the soil.
 
Then side-dress with compost tea or a low-nitrogen fertilizer when vines start running.
 
Too much nitrogen gives you leaves but no fruit.
 

3. Watch for Pests and Diseases

Aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs love watermelons.
 
After you plant watermelons in the ground, check the undersides of leaves weekly.
 
Powdery mildew and downy mildew are common too.
 
Good airflow and avoiding overhead watering help prevent these issues.
 

4. Hand-Pollinate if Needed

Bees usually pollinate watermelons, but if you see few pollinators, you can help.
 
When you plant watermelons in the ground, you might need to hand-pollinate.
 
Pick a male flower, remove the petals, and dab it onto a female flower.
 
Do this in the morning for best results.
 

Common Mistakes When You Plant Watermelons in the Ground

Even experienced gardeners slip up.
 
Here are mistakes to avoid when you plant watermelons in the ground.
 

1. Planting Too Close Together

Watermelons need room to sprawl.
 
If you plant watermelons in the ground too close, they compete for nutrients and airflow.
 
That leads to poor fruit set and more disease.
 

2. Watering from Above

Wet leaves invite fungal problems.
 
When you plant watermelons in the ground, water at the base instead.
 
Drip irrigation or a soaker hose works great.
 

3. Skipping Mulch

Bare soil dries out fast and grows weeds.
 
If you plant watermelons in the ground without mulch, you’ll water more and fight more weeds.
 
Mulch solves both problems.
 

So, How to Plant Watermelons in the Ground?

To plant watermelons in the ground, wait for warm soil, pick a sunny spot, amend the soil, and give them plenty of space.
 
Then water deeply, mulch well, and watch for pests.
 
When you plant watermelons in the ground the right way, you’ll be rewarded with sweet, homegrown fruit.
 
It’s really that simple.
 
Happy planting.