Growing Watermelon

Best Planting Times for Watermelons in Vermont

Planting MethodActivityRecommended Dates
Outdoor PlantingIndoor Seed StartingMay 15 – June 1
Transplant OutdoorsJune 15 – June 30
Greenhouse PlantingYear-roundAdjust planting based on temperature control in the greenhouse

Planting Conditions

Watermelon Planting Conditions

Vermont has a cooler climate with shorter growing seasons, making it crucial to time your watermelon planting accurately. The USDA Hardiness Zones ranging from 3b to 5b present various challenges for cultivating watermelons.

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Useful Tools for Starting Watermelons Indoors

Using the right tools can save you time and increase your success rate when growing watermelons.

Seeds

Quality seeds lead to better germination and healthier plants. Starting with high-quality seeds gives your watermelons the best chance to thrive from the very beginning.
5 pack of different Melon Seeds
Browse Watermelon Seeds on Amazon

Planting Trays

Planting trays help you organize your seedlings and ensure they have enough space to grow before you transplant them outdoors. This makes the process more efficient and increases the chances of strong, healthy plants.
Planting Trays Image
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Grow Lights

Grow lights are essential if you don’t have enough natural sunlight. They provide your seedlings with the light they need to grow strong and healthy, even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Grow Lights Image
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Seed Starting Soil

Using light, fine soil specifically designed for seed starting helps young roots establish quickly and promotes healthy growth. It’s an easy way to give your seedlings the best start possible.
Seed Starting Soil Image
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Greenhouse Growing

In Vermont, a greenhouse provides a controlled environment that mitigates the effects of the cooler climate, allowing for longer growing seasons for watermelons. Greenhouses protect plants from frost and extend the season, encouraging a fruitful yield.

Consider investing in a 10×12 FT Greenhouse priced at $1,199 to ensure your watermelons thrive in a controlled environment.
Greenhouse Image 1
Greenhouse Image 2
Check the latest price on Amazon.

Fertilizer

For optimal watermelon growth in Vermont, supplementing with fertilizer can ensure abundant and healthy harvests. Quality fertilizer helps replenish nutrients in the soil and promotes vigorous plant growth.
Fertilizer Image
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Other planting guides for Vermont:

Broccoli Planting in Vermont

Pumpkin Planting in Vermont

Tomato Planting in Vermont

Any questions on growing watermelons? Visit our forum to discuss: Gardening Forum.

Starting Watermelon Indoors

In Vermont (Zone 5a), begin indoor watermelon seed starting around April 15 to May 1. This timeline ensures healthy seedlings ready for outdoor transplantation starting from late May to early June, after the last frost date has passed.

Transplanting Watermelon Seedlings

Transplant watermelon seedlings outdoors from June 1 to June 15, ensuring the soil has warmed above 70°F consistently. Space the seedlings 24-36 inches apart in rows with at least 4-6 feet between rows for optimal growth.

General Care and Maintenance

Watering

  • Provide consistent and deep watering to keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging which can damage roots.
  • Water at the base of plants to prevent excess moisture on leaves, which can encourage fungal diseases.

Fertilizing

  • Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting and again when the plants start to bloom. Organic compost can significantly improve soil quality when worked into the ground prior to planting.

Pest and Disease Management

  • Regularly check for pests such as aphids, squash bugs, and cucumber beetles. Monitoring is crucial, especially in Vermont’s humid conditions.
  • Utilize organic pest control methods when necessary and aim for integrated pest management strategies to protect your watermelon crop.

Harvesting

  • Harvest watermelons when the tendril closest to the fruit turns brown, and the fruit emits a hollow sound when tapped. Regular harvesting is key to maximizing yield.

The importance of good soil

Before starting to grow it is important to take a step back and find the condition of the soil in your garden,The optimal soil is a blend that includes the mineral-rich dirt along with organicrich organic matter that plants need to thrive.


In my garden I try to compost as mutch as possible, so I can mix in the nutrient ritch compost in my soil. I use both hot composting of food scraps and cold composting of all organic garden “waste”..
If you dont have the time or space for composting, it is possible to get compost ready to use in garden centers and Community Composting.
You can read more on Community Composting here: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/community-composting

If you are uncertain of the quality of your soil, you can get easy to use soil tests at amazon for 17 dollars. Check latest prices here: Soil testing kit.

Also remember to check out how much sunlight your growing area gets, and that the rain drains well. If you treat your soil well and plan you crops according to your climate you will succeed with any plant you want.

The satisfaction when you harvest your own produce is well worth the time you put in 🙂

BeeJay
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