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How to Grow Watermelon
Citrullus vulgaris fruit vary in size from small to quite large , and in colour from dreary green to yellow . Although watermelon requires a long spring up time of year , if you start up this sprawling plant life early enough in the class , you’re able to enjoy its fruits from previous summer to early fall . Watermelons , like other vining plant life , require mint of space to grow .
Time of Planting
Citrullus vulgaris seed can be straight - seed outside after the danger of hoar has run . ( Check thisfrost calendarto determine the average last frost date for your country . )
Spacing Requirements
Plant watermelon into 12 - inch - tall Alfred Hawthorne of soil that are spaced at least 6 foot asunder . Sow 6–8 seeds per J. J. Hill , subsequently cutting to 3–4 plants per Alfred Hawthorne . Sow watermelon seeds ½-inch cryptical . Water seminal fluid into the hills after planting .
hear more about inseminate and handle for come .
Time to Germination
seed will pullulate in 4–12 day .
Special Considerations
While it is wide-eyed to unmediated - sow watermelon seeds , you could also start watermelon seedling indoors 4–6 weeks before the last Robert Frost date .
Common Pests and Diseases
Watermelon plant life can suffer from anthracnose , cucumber wilt , puberulent mould , and powdery mildew . Use row cover to protect plants from pests ahead of time in the season .
When and How to Harvest for Food Consumption
When harvest Citrullus vulgaris , ignore the stem with a sharp tongue or garden tool rather than deplume the plant life from the vine . Maturity indicators differ among mixture but include the ground spot turning yellow , the tendril opposite the yield shriveling , or the rind taking on a dull and waxy appearance . watermelon are typically advanced when they fathom taut and hollow to a rap from the knuckle .
Eating
Citrullus vulgaris is most often bask fresh and cold as a summertime bite . Citrullus vulgaris rinds can be pickle for a angelic - and - sour kickshaw . Check out this pickle watermelon rind recipe !
Storing
Whole watermelon stay fresh at room temperature — preferably in a coolheaded , dark place to retard further ripening — for up to 10 years under ideal conditions . hive away watermelon in temperatures from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit may extend the fruit ’s life to two to three weeks . A watermelon may only last for one hebdomad depending on the degree of ripeness when pick .
How to Save Watermelon Seeds
commend that mitt pollination is always an alternative if the recommended isolation distance of 800 feet ( for keep varietal honor ) is too great for your horticulture distance .
Life Cycle
Annual
Recommended Isolation Distance
When saving seeds from Citrullus vulgaris , freestanding variety show by at least 800 feet or hand pollenate several fruit .
Recommended Population Sizes
A single watermelon plant can produce practicable source . However , to maintain a mixed bag ’s diversity over time , redeem cum from 5–10 Citrullus vulgaris plant .
Harvesting
harvest home yield as you would for eating and simply reserve some of the seed or exit the fruits on the vine until they soften slimly . ( This may improve seed quality , but you wo n’t need to eat on the melon at this point . ) Seeds inside should be plump and unwavering .
Cleaning and Processing
Rinse seed well in a strainer or cullender and then spread in a tenuous layer to dry on coffee filters , newspaper plates , or old window screens .
Watch this video to learn how to process watermelon seeds.
Storage and Viability
memory board watermelon vine seeds in a cool , dark , and ironic place and always put germ in an airtight container to keep out moisture and humidness . When store under these conditions , watermelon seeds can stay on viable for 5 years .
ascertain more about storing seed .
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Watermelon can be successfully started indoors and transplanted outdoors.
Cut the stem when harvesting watermelon. Pictured: ‘Golden Midget’ watermelon
Fresh ‘Blacktail Mountain’ watermelon
Pickling watermelon rindsis a delicious way to reduce food waste.
Pictured: ‘Petite Yellow’ watermelon
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