Water melons

What is important if you want to produce water melons of good quality? First, is to have the right site in the right region: Grow water melons only in warm and well drained soils! In compacted and water logging soils, they will do very poorly. Watermelons require full sunlight, a dry, warm climate, and sufficient water during the first 3 weeks and during fruit growth. You will therefore have to think about irrigation.

Drip irrigation is ideal because overhead irrigation promotes leaf diseases in the same way as frequent rain does. The third thing to consider is crop rotation: the field should not have been planted with other cucurbits (melons, pumpkins, cucumbers, butter nuts etc.) for at least 5 years. Melons are very sensitive to soil borne diseases that are typical for this plant family.

Seeds and planting

The next thing is to get good seeds from a reliable provider. Seeds from a previous watermelon crop may grow into plants with low yield and fruits of low quality, especially seeds from hybrid varieties. Choose a variety that is popular in your region. Water melon seeds germinate best when the soil is very warm (25°C – 32°C) and the air is almost hot (28°C to 33°C), as it is the case at the end of the dry season.

Mix plenty of compost or manure into each planting hole; at least one shovelful. Watermelons like fertile soils high in organic matter. It is recommended that you apply animal manure (e.g. composted poultry manure or cattle dung) and rock phosphate before or at planting.

The holes are dug at a distance of about one metre within the row and about 2 metres between the rows. Plant 2 seeds per hill, placing them 3 to 4 cm (1.5 inches) deep into the soil. Water the hills thoroughly if no rain is in sight. Once established watermelon plants are quire drought resistant, and should not be over watered in spite of its name.

Rotate with legumes

It is also very beneficial to plant water melon in a field where leguminous plants (soy beans, peas, beans) were grown before. The roots of these legumes, and possibly also the leaves, should be left in the field; they provide nitrogen to the next crop.

Irrigation

After planting, water regularly with plant or manure tea to provide additional nutrients. Well-filtered teas can also be used in a drip irrigation system. There are three critical periods where watermelons need sufficient moisture:

• After planting to allow fast and even emergence

• At early bloom to prevent poor fruit set and misshapen fruit

• During fruit development to ensure good melon size.

• Do not apply too much water, avoid water logging, and minimize wetting of the bed tops! Heavy irrigation or rainfall may also result in fruit splitting.

Pests, diseases and weeds

Plant early, and when growing conditions are ideal. This ensures rapid emergence, growth and soil cover, and increases resistance against pests and diseases. Try to avoid stress caused by cold soil, too wet soil, infertile soil, drought, excessive heat, and plant injuries.

• Aphids can be controlled with preparations from the Neem tree, Tephrosia leaves, pyrethrum flowers, chilies, garlic, and soap. These preparations can also control spider mites and thrips that may infest watermelons in hot and dry weather. You may use Neem or Tephrosia preparations against cucumber beetles, cutworms or leafhoppers that damage young seedlings or flowers.

• Many diseases can be prevented by practicing crop rotation. Good seeds, robust varieties, and early planting reduce further risks. Control aphids and avoid plant injuries, and avoid frequent overhead sprinkler irrigation to prevent foliar diseases. If you have to spray fungicides, spray as soon as a disease appears. Thorough spray coverage and repeated applications are essential, also in the case of insecticides.

• Weed control is done before the vines begin to run and while the weeds are still small. Two weedings are usually done using a hoe. Take care not to damage the roots of the water melons! When the melon leaves cover the soil, only very noxious weeds need to be pulled out to prevent them from developing seeds.

Fruit pruning and care

Remove all misshapen and split fruit to channel nutrients into marketable fruit. Leave only one to three well shaped melons per plant. Put dry grass under the melons to prevent rotting.

Harvesting and marketing



Watermelons can be harvested about three months after planting. Be careful, water melons are perishable. That means, you have to organize the sale early enough in looking around for a buyer.


Attention: honey bees!

Melon flowers must be pollinated by honey bees in order to set fruit. Insecticides are toxic to bees!