Figure 3. The top five watermelon producing counties are Hidalgo, Brooks, Knox, Gaines and Wood. The vines are massive. This varies with the gardener and the size and type of melon and often is inaccurate. Since melons require well-drained soils, work the soil into ridges or hills 4 to 8 inches high and 12 to 14 inches wide for planting. Use a knife to cut watermelons from the vine. According to Juan Anciso, Ph.D., a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service vegetable specialist in Weslaco and professor with the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, this year’s Brix count measures watermelon … Before using a pesticide, read the label. Melon plants break through the soil 10 to 12 days after planting. Spring temperatures in Houston are the perfect growing weather for the watermelon plant, and the fruit that … The seeds need warm soil (15C or 60F) to germinate. Muskmelon can improve in flavor after harvest, but this is caused by mellowing of the flesh. Do you have a question -or- need to contact an expert? Watch Reply. Give plants a … Warmer soil helps … Our work makes a difference, in the lives of Texans and on the economy. Muskmelons are often mistakenly called cantaloupes, but the true cantaloupe is a small, warty fruit and is not usually grown in the United States. However, directly sowing them is … Melons most commonly grown in Texas include honeydew, muskmelon and watermelon. Transplant them into the garden before the second true leaf opens (Fig. This is called “full slip.” Fruit at this stage should be used within 36 to 48 hours as it will spoil soon. What watermelons need in Texas is the opposite of a mound: They need a basin. sybram Burleson, TX(Zone 8a) May 10, 2011. The tendril near the point where the melon is attached to the vine dries when ripe. When to Plant Texas gardening for the spring/summer begins earlier than the northern sections of the country. 3). Heavy soils with a lot of clay often cause small, weak plants that produce fewer melons. Judging the ripeness of watermelons requires skill and experience. On average, ... pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelons, gourds and sunflowers, you should plant those seeds … Plant watermelon seeds at the last sign of winter; when there is no more chance of frost. But in the summer of 2012, I harvested about a dozen sweet, juicy watermelons from one 4-by-8-foot bed. But, every melon that starts to grow ends up with a mis-shaped end (vine and/or … This is definitely true for Texas, California and Georgia. 8-������P�*Ѵ��x�N��'�W�zi^=m��q@GP}�m�y�N\�?yuv�W�&�^�d��xMzu��h��Tu=ߓ�:g���nX�:L�3�K��L���ٴ.J���%�y�裴 458 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<1596652058104E6EAC9BB36C13029A09>]/Index[426 54]/Info 425 0 R/Length 141/Prev 684856/Root 427 0 R/Size 480/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream h�b``�d``������5�A��X��,+�Kn``�8���5PYA^�%A^��5Z��/D��o``��h`Hb� The seeds can be started indoors up to three weeks before planting in the garden; do not start sooner … Watermelon seeds should be planted outdoors in the spring well after all threats of frost have passed. Poor pollination causes female flowers to fall off the vines or fruits to be poorly shaped, which is a common problem with watermelon (Fig. Tomatoes, peppers, squash, … Figure 5. 4). Learn How to grow melons and watermelons in Houston. Space watermelon 3 to 5 feet apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. 5). Do not plant watermelon if any chance of frost exists. 6). In warmer climates with long growing seasons, sow seeds directly outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your last frost date, as long as the soil temperature has warmed to at least 70°F (21°C). One method of support for melons grown on a trellis. Aggie Horticulture Network > Vegetable Resources > Watermelons > Suggested Watermelon Varieties for Texas Suggested Watermelon Varieties for Texas. Tri-County Producer and Landowner Symposium, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc8xY2YuOfM. Plant in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Do not plant seeds until the soil warms in the spring and all danger of frost is past. For this reason they are not well suited to small gardens and should be grown only in lot-size gardens in urban areas or larger gardens in rural areas. More. Plant transplants before the second true leaf opens. Most watermelons … � �,�SDŽd���&L*)��=��,>� ip�����?V3-�ła8u�L{\��N�g���dž� Plant seeds in peat pots 2 to 4 weeks before transplanting. Texas Gardening; watermelon; watermelon. Do not harvest melons too early because the sugar content does not increase after harvest. Inches of ... Watermelon (transplant seeds) March 15 ----- ½ oz. Some signs of ripeness in watermelons are: Figure 6. Plant … 479 0 obj <>stream Figure 2. Planting a Watermelon It takes 70 to 100 days for a seed to grow into a melon that's ready to eat, so how and when to plant a melon depends on where you live. Seeds require soil temperature above 70° for healthy germination; trying to rush the season by planting in cold soils will result in rotting seeds or stunted, slow-growing plants. I have two plants in this little area with bush beans. Watermelons are big! Proper spacing of hills is important. part 2 of instructions on how to grow giant watermelons in Texas. For this reason they are not well suited to small gardens and should be grown only in lot-size gardens in urban areas or larger gardens in rural areas. Before the runners on the vines are about 6 inches long, scatter 2 to 3 pounds of fertilizer per 60 to 90 feet of row 2 to 3 feet to the side of the row and mix it lightly with the soil. 1). Cover the fertilizer and plant so seeds do not touch the fertilizer. Then in each hill I plant … Change in color of rind. 7). Do not plant seeds until the soil warms in the spring and all danger of frost is past. Fine sandy soils or heavy clay soils often crust when dry, so if the weather is dry after planting, the hill may need moistening to soften the soil. Place the rows of muskmelons and honeydews 6 to 8 feet apart, rows of irrigated watermelons 10 to 12 feet apart, and rows of un-irrigated watermelons 12 to 16 feet apart. Your vegetable planning guide for Fort Worth, Texas. Melons need bees to cross-pollinate the flowers. SPRING Planting date . After the plants have two or three leaves, thin them again, leaving two plants per hill. Gardens can be harvested 10 to 12 days earlier if you use transplants. For a good fall crop, plant early so squash will mature before the first killing frost. Death or drying of the tendril. You can start seedlings inside, in Houston around early March … In Luling, Texas, the watermelon is so popular that the town celebrates with an annual four day festival called the Watermelon Thump , which includes fun activities such as seed spitting, watermelon … Planting . Fertilize muskmelons and honeydews with 2 to 3 pounds of fertilizer for every 60 to 70 feet of row. d�a'y�d�\g�a^eϧYY��Bf�1�'rG�૴5�B@����5��8\��� 9LC����oԣ2�%�8�38�x�Ѓ���-�a hw0�>�&�CS(����+|���)��b�N�t��UL Rotating crops is very important in disease control. %PDF-1.6 %���� Planting several seeds per spot helps plants push through. A melon is ripe when the tendril nearest the vine is dry. If you live where you have a shorter growing season, it’s a good idea to start your seeds indoors. … Make a trench on the planting bed 4 to 6 inches deep and 2 inches from the side of the row. Crop . For example, if planting in hardiness zone 5, the last frost date is generally between April 1st – April 15th, and the first frost date typically falls between October 16th – October 31st. h�bbd```b``v�S�l�. Plant the seeds in hills. Dig or plow the soil 8 to 10 inches deep in winter or early spring. Melons grow best on a deep, well drained, sandy or sandy loam soil with plenty of organic matter. Squash does not grow well in cool weather. L�$?,�ԣ�p�%k~RJ6k���⵮�1��մ�:qTV��d6�7����[���^�-3�a� �ZY&��e�1� Mid-March is usually time for the last frost of the season. Watermelons need a long season of warm weather, from planting to harvesting, and Texas delivers. One of the keys to grow watermelons successfully – starting them off in a mix of compost, manure and soil. For watermelons, apply a fertilizer high in phosphorous, such as 10-10-10, at a rate of 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet (60 to 90 feet of row). Best Varieties For North Texas. Cash receipts exceed $50 million. My plan was to let the vines grow over the tile, getting the watermelons … How to Plant Watermelon Pick an area of well-drained soil that gets plenty of sunlight for growing watermelons. Mark unread; Skip to new; Mark unread Print Skip to new. To produce the sugar necessary for sweet fruit, the melons need hot weather. The Texas Crop Profile W A T E R M E L O N … If your growing season is short, … Muskmelons can be grown in small gardens if the vines are trellised and the fruit is supported (Fig. endstream endobj 427 0 obj <>/Metadata 51 0 R/Pages 424 0 R/StructTreeRoot 83 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences<>>> endobj 428 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/Properties<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 429 0 obj <>stream In general, the bigger the watermelon variety, the longer it will take to reach maturity. Plant groups of six to eight seeds at a depth of 1 to 1½ inches. Insect or other damage often makes another thinning unnecessary. Melons can be served many ways, but they are usually sliced and served fresh. Whether you plant in raised beds or in the ground, work compost into the soil at the rate of 50-100 pounds per 1000 square feet to … If organic matter or manure is added, it should be well composted. OK, my first try at watermelon. Apply manure or compost at 50 to 100 pounds per 1,000 square feet, or about 2 to 4 tons per acre, to build the organic matter content of the soil. Submitted by Theresa on October 31, 2016 - 1:14am. 36-96 80-100 40 frt. They can also be used in fruit salads or salsas, in melon sorbet, or even in a watermelon margarita. I mix together to form a mound about 12″ high and about 18″ round. Heavier soils require higher ridges. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory, Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences. Dull sound when thumped. Watermelons and melons are summer crops. Frank J. Dainello, Extension Horticulturist ... How to Grow … One hundred (100) percent of the state’s watermelon production goes to the fresh market. Download a printer-friendly version of this page: Melons, View this publication in Spanish: Cómo cultivar melones. Melons prefer soils with a neutral pH, and if the soil is too acidic the plants will drop their blossoms. Melons are vining crops that require a lot of space, especially watermelons. When I plant, I start out by using a 5 gallon bucket each of aged cow or horse manure, compost, and garden soil. 30 Watermelon ... Texas … Fruit size can be increased by pruning watermelons to two fruits per plant for large varieties or four to six fruits per plant on small varieties. Apply fertilizer in a band along the row. Harvest muskmelons when the stem begins to separate from the fruit. �̐����Y�̙�8i���� ��I��K7w`� �:�_���P7�3p9�i�p���?��)W�?0��� � �7� Melons are vining crops that require a lot of space, especially watermelons. 2). Sandy soil is best but almost any type of soil can be used to grow … ... here in Texas. K��X�\�Z��Bm)l��8'GK����py�!���DL�2��0��RIv�/&�t ���,V3̾���P��h'�. Make the second fertilizer application to the side of the row when vines begin to run. 426 0 obj <> endobj Melon plants have separate male and female flowers on each plant, and bees must be present to cross-pollinate the flowers. Ask your county Extension agent about what to use. Ripe melons often lose their glossy color. Over 42,000 acres are grown throughout Texas … If spots do appear on the leaves and no insects are present, a fungicide may be needed. 0 Change in color of soil spot. ����u��2p�(i9 V �h� ���X� � d�����;'�W㱆� In Texas, the watermelon season is from June to August. 1). Planting Watermelons The ideal date to plant watermelons varies according to the climate of the region. To prevent the buildup of diseases, do not plant melons in the same place more than once every 3 or 4 years. Figure 4. EAST TEXAS VEGETABLE PLANTING GUIDE . Phosphorous, the second number on the fertilizer label, is most important for muskmelons at planting, and nitrogen is important when the vines begin to run. %%EOF Figure 1. On the other hand, Georgia’s watermelon season starts at the end of July and ends at the … endstream endobj startxref Watermelon Production: Texas ranks 3rd in U.S. production. Melons are warm-season crops and are easily injured by frost. For better quality, harvest fruits at the “half slip” stage when the stem is partially separated from the fruit (Fig. Muskmelons can be grown in small gardens if the vines are trellised and the fruit is supported (Fig. Always follow cautions, warnings and directions. You should plant watermelons when the soil has reached at least 70°F. pt��r������xsٶ���`z��.��.��3���~L�|�_���Oc�b��{�|��q��O����{��U?�5�6��tz��Q�l�O���� TӴ`�c: When hoeing, be careful not to cut too deeply into the soil near the melon plants, or the roots will be damaged. Small varieties can weigh 10 lbs, while larger types can tip the scale at 200 lbs! Place the hills 2 to 3 feet apart for muskmelon and honeydew and 4 to 5 feet apart for watermelon (Fig. Harvest muskmelons when the fruit rind changes to a yellowish-orange color, the stem begins to separate or slip from the fruit, and the odor gets strong. h޴��n�8�_��-��$PHҤ�n�u�(r��t�֖\I���w��c��)n�"�B�7�PJ{�0e� �8�N�]2��^1�X�͸� Melons are warm-season crops and are easily injured by frost. Statewide economic impacts exceed $160 million. Black plastic mulch can increase the soil temperature, giving … Harvest honeydew melons when the skin begins to turn yellow and the end of the fruit opposite the stem (blossom end) begins to soften. This is the most dependable sign (Fig. Timing for all planting is based on first and last frost dates. Figure 7. "����?�� &��H+0��� &���?��ֵ,�Dr��b�A��s��˷D�J�MK���l�D �d���E���;��?�D&FFK���J�g`�|` ��� Texas is one of the largest producers of watermelon in the U.S. and has a long history of growing and eating watermelons. In warmer climates, like Texas and the hotter areas of California, planting time for watermelons is December through early July, although April through July is more common. After the plants are up, thin them to three to four plants per hill. Click for a hub of Extension resources related to the current COVID-19 situation. Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70° F or above. Black plastic mulch can increase the soil temperature, giving melons an earlier start on growth. When to Plant Vegetables in Fort Worth, Texas. Turn the soil over so all organic matter is covered completely. Melons do best with small amounts of fertilizer in two or three applications. Apply fertilizer in a band along the row for best results (Fig. No matter how you cut it, melons are a traditional summer treat in Texas. I planted a watermelon plant. Keep weeds away from the plants, especially at the beginning of the season while the plants are getting started. Watermelons are the state’s largest annual horticultural crop. Melons grow best on a deep, well drained, sandy or sandy loam soil with plenty of organic matter. Watermelons grow best in soil with a pH between 6.0-7.5. FALL Planting date: SEED or PLANT per 100 feet . Pruning also increases the size of muskmelon fruits, but usually it is not needed. Most melons require 80 to 100 days from planting to harvest. If left long enough, the stem will naturally separate from the fruit. Hea… The spot where the melon rests on the soil takes on a creamy, streaked color. Production Regions Watermelons are grown in nearly half the counties in Texas. An earlier start on growth idea to start your seeds indoors, melons vining! 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