How To Grow Watermelon In Texas

Watermelons are one of Texas'southward pinnacle agricultural products, and if yous live in the state, chances are you want to try your hand at growing them yourself.

After all, watermelons are perfect snacks for hot weather, and if y'all sow them at the right time, you'll be able to harvest these fruits merely before Texas summer arrives.

And then when to plant watermelon in Texas? The all-time calendar month for this is around April to July.

Table of Contents

• Best Time to Plant Watermelon in Texas
  • 1. Subsequently the final frost
  • 2. 60-five to ninety days earlier the showtime frost
  • iii. When the temperature's right
• How to Establish Watermelons?
• Ofttimes Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Best Time to Plant Watermelon in Texas

i. Afterwards the terminal frost

Watermelons cannot tolerate frost at all, then to grow watermelon successfully, you must plant them later the last frost.

In n Texas, this timeframe would exist around mid-April, just for some regions of the state, such every bit in cardinal Texas and in east Texas, people tin outset gardening earlier in March.

Therefore, it's better to await up the specific frost date in your area than to rely on the estimates in a higher place.

• For example, icy weather in Houston often ends on February eighteen, so people hither can grow watermelons on February 19 outdoors, style before March or Apr.
• That said, they should wait until February 25 or upward to March eleven to institute watermelons (in other words, one to 3 weeks after the concluding frost to exist safe).

Note that the above recommendations apply to outdoor gardening. Yous can sow watermelon seeds in containers indoors two to 3 weeks earlier the terminal frost, though it's unnecessary to do so in Texas, where the growing season is long.

In fact, the watermelon flavor Texas may extend up until one day before the offset fall frost. This is why you'll see farmers harvest this fruit in May, in July, and fifty-fifty early October.

ii. Sixty-five to ninety days before the first frost

In a higher place, we've established that watermelons are harvestable upwards until the showtime frost. However, information technology's necessary to grow them lx-five to xc days before icy conditions arrives. Otherwise, watermelons will die before maturing to their full size.

• To exemplify, Hidalgo in south Texas has its average offset frost on January 30. Following the to a higher place recommendation, residents here should plant watermelons on November 1 or November 26 at the latest.

Of grade, it's all-time to wait upwardly the maturation period of the variety you grow, as the above range is simply a general estimate. For instance, Black Diamond watermelons need 90 days to mature, while the Red Sweet cultivar volition end growing in eighty days.

three. When the temperature's right

Whether yous're growing watermelon in Texas or elsewhere, it'due south vital to give the plant enough warmth to develop.

In detail, the soil should measure 65 to 95℉ to facilitate germination, while the air should exist 70 to ninety degrees. Lower and higher temperatures will hinder establish growth and affect watermelons' gustatory modality.

How to Plant Watermelons?

• Check the soil six months earlier planting. If it doesn't accept a pH of half-dozen.0 to 7.5, lower the pH with sulfur and aluminum sulfate, or increase information technology using limestone.
• Once the soil is amended, sow watermelon seeds under the right temperature (see the Fahrenheit range above). This recommendation also applies to seedlings from a nursery.
• At the same time, ensure the soil has adequate drainage and the garden has enough space for watermelons to grow (at least 20 foursquare anxiety for each institute and 6 feet between two rows).
• If your k is small, you can utilize watermelon supports or overhead wires to grow the fruit vertically.
• To exist specific, watermelon trellises should be half dozen.5 feet above the footing and will work all-time with small plant varieties, since these volition put less pressure on the trellises.
• If you put seeds in large pots, identify them at a depth of ¼ to ½ inch, and use organic biodegradable containers if possible. These receptacles will degenerate as time passes, and so y'all won't have to worry about subjecting your watermelon to transplant shock.
• As for direct seeding into the garden bed, a sowing depth of ½ to i inch is best.
• Regardless of where you put the watermelon, give it one to ii inches of water a calendar week and mulch the soil to discourage weed growth.
• Finally, attract bees to your garden so watermelon plants can produce fruits.

Oft Asked Questions

Do watermelons grow well in Texas?

Yes. Texas actually ranks third in the Usa for the production of watermelons. You'll find this ingather in many parts of the state, such as San Antonio, Brooks, Gaines, or the Rolling Plains.

How late can yous plant watermelon in Texas?

As stated in a higher place, you should await up the start frost date where you live. Then, determine the maturation period of your found variety (in days) and deduct that number from your offset frost.

The result will be the latest date you can grow watermelons.

What is the best watermelon to grow in Texas?

Some of the best watermelons in Texas are: Sugar Baby, Yellow Doll, Crimson Sweet, Jubilee Two, Sangria, Summer Sweet, Revolution, and Gold Strike, among other varieties.

How long exercise watermelons have to grow?

Watermelons tin take about 70 to 100 days to develop, so if you take a short growing season, pick a cultivar that matures in near two months rather than three.

Determination

Hopefully, you now know when to establish watermelon in Texas. As long every bit you follow our tips, it volition exist like shooting fish in a barrel to produce an abundance of watermelons, which you lot can collect come harvest time.

By and then, you can brand fruit cocktails, smoothies, and even popsicles for cooling downward during those hot summertime days.

Besides, if you are looking for the most popular vegetables that are planted in Texas. Don't forget to visit our articles about the all-time time to plant tomatoes, strawberries, and bell peppers.

Source: https://www.floridayards.org/when-to-plant-watermelon-in-texas/

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