watermelon

One still has time to grow your own watermelon. The harvest will be later though like late September. A 60-90 day variety should be your choice.

Unless one has a passion for a seed spitting contest I would suggest a seedless variety. Seedless varieties are less messy and much easier to eat.

There are still some plants available at garden centers but day length is the important thing right now. A 120 day variety would not be ready to harvest until nearly time for frost.

Watermelons like loose soils with good drainage. They are also warm soil loving plants. With temperature in the 90's that currently is not a problem. Give each plant at least a 6x6 area for vine growth. Be sure pH is over 6.0.

Add additional compost and fertilizer around each plant. A ¼ cup of 6-24-24 under each plant should get them off to a great start. Compost improves soil tilth and provides additional nutrients.

You should plant watermelon in full sun and use straw to mulch around the plants. Mulch helps one control weeds but it also keeps the fruit off the ground.

Plant leaves help the fruit to be sweet so keep your plant healthy for quality watermelons. Remove late setting fruit 40 days before frost (October 20) to help ripen other fruit. Most varieties will be ready to harvest in 60-90 days. Harvest when the green curl turns brown and the light area toward the ground is yellow.

There is still time to grow your own watermelon, but now is the time to start.