watermelon

Other Name: Citrullus lanatus

Period/Seasonal Colour: vine-like

Height: 2 feet apart in a 5-foot-wide hill

Where To Plant: Watermelon plants need full sun to fruit. They also vine or “run”, like pumpkins and winter squash, so give them room to ramble.

When To Plant: Watermelons like the heat, so wait until 2 weeks after your last frost date (May or June), to plant seeds and seedlings.

How To Plant: Amend the soil well with compost before planting. Get watermelons off to a good start by planting them on raised beds covered in black or dark green plastic. The raised beds warm up and dry out faster in spring allowing you to plant sooner. The plastic laid on the bed two weeks before planting, preheats the soil. Poke holes in the plastic every 12 inches and plant three seeds or one seedling per hole.

Added Benefits: Each juicy bite has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids

Tips: Watermelons need consistent water and fertility to produce fruits. Add at least 1 inch of water a week more during hot, dry weather. Add a small handful of an organic fertilizer, such as 5-5-5 around each plant at transplant time