How long is a watermelon growing season?

80 days
Watermelons need a long growing season (at least 80 days) and warm ground for seeds to germinate and grow. Soil should be 70 degrees F or warmer at planting time. Sow seeds 1 inch deep and keep well watered until germination.

What’s the best month to buy watermelon?

But the best time to buy is between May and September. That’s when production kicks in for the four top watermelon-growing states—Florida, Texas, California, and Georgia—which account for two-thirds of the U.S. crop and keep supermarket bins consistently full.

What season are watermelons available?

Watermelons are available all year round, peaking in summer, from December to May.

Can you grow watermelon all year?

Watermelon is available year-round! View the current peak production calendar, covering U.S. grown and imported watermelons.

Are watermelons good now?

Melons don’t ripen as they age like other fruit. “In general, melons will not change significantly once they’re harvested from the vine,” Green explains. You can usually buy any common melon variety year-round, but odds are it’s just not going to be very tasty. Good watermelons will have a shiny rind and a gold spot.

How do you tell if a watermelon is good by knocking?

Another way to find a ripe watermelon is to lightly knock the outside with your knuckles. A ripe melon will have a deeper sound, as opposed to an over-ripe one that will have a more hollow or flat sound. A duller, more hollow sound can mean the flesh is starting to go soft and spoil.

How do you tell if a watermelon is ripe and sweet?

If the watermelon is ripe, the field spot should be a large, yellow patch on one side of the melon. If it is ripe, the color should be a creamy, almost butter-like yellow. The bigger the yellow belly and the creamier the color means the more time the melon spent ripening on the vine.

Do watermelons grow back?

As a tender annual, watermelon vines will not last through winter conditions and will require re-planting each spring.

How can you tell if a watermelon is male or female?

The male flowers appear first on the plant and the female flowers follow a week or two later. It’s easy to tell the difference between the two. A male flower will connect directly to the vine while a female flower will have a bulb behind the flower. The bulb behind the flower looks like a miniature watermelon.

How many watermelons can you plant on a hill?

Requirements: ​Plant watermelon into 12-inch-tall hills of soil that are spaced at least 6 feet apart. Sow 6​–​8 seeds per hill, later thinning to 3​–​4 plants per hill. Sow watermelon seeds ½-inch deep. Water seeds into the hills after planting.

How long does it take watermelon seed to grow?

Main season and seedless varieties take 80 to 85 days to reach maturity and include Sangria, Madera, Honey Heart and Tiffany watermelons. Watermelon likes warm, fertile soil and will drink a lot of water over the growing season.

When is the best time to plant a watermelon?

Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) are annuals that require warm weather and a growing season up to 90 days after planting.

How big of an area do you need to grow watermelon?

Watermelons require a lot of space to grow. Plan one variety of watermelon per every half acre you have. In many backyards, this means one type only. If you grow more varieties, they will cross-pollinate. First off, it’s important to have a warm or hot summer to grow watermelon. Watermelons thrive in the heat.

When is watermelon season in Florida and California?

However, watermelons only grow at certain periods of the year, so if you’re a lover of this fruit, it’s best to know when is watermelon season is in your geographical area. When is watermelon season in Texas, Florida, California and Georgia?