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SO many people ask can you grow watermelon in a container? Surprisingly, growing watermelon in containers is more common than you think. I found two tutorials online that cover all the bases for us gardeners who are interested in growing watermelon in pots.
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Below we talk about two YouTube videos because they each bring a necessary component to the successful planting and harvesting of your melons. The first is titled Planting Watermelons in Containers. The second is titled How to Grow Watermelons Vertically. In case you are short on horizontal space and need to grow vertically, the latter will give you some ideas on how to grow your melons on a trellis.
How to grow watermelon in containers
Planting watermelon in containers
The host of Planting Watermelons in Containers is Angela Price, a Horticultural Designer.
Susquehanna SP17871 20-Inch Large Outdoor Square Planter, Cedar
Choosing the container
Since watermelon takes up a lot of room, our author recommends a large container. Here she uses an 18” x 20” square wooden pot.
Where to put the container
Since the watermelon plant will spill over the sides of the container, she highly recommends you place the container on grass or bark mulch. Concrete is not recommended as it will get too hot.
What kind of soil and fertilizer
Dr. Earth Organic 5 Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer Poly Bag
Angela uses a mix of potting soil and organic compost. Organic products are highly recommended when growing fruits and vegetables.
Organic fertilizer is also recommended. She uses Dr Earth Organic 5 Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer. Work at least one cup into your soil with your trowel.
Planting the seedlings
Pull the seedlings gently out of their container (or plant the seeds per the instructions on the seed packet).
Plant close to the edges of the container wall so the vines can easily make it over the sides. You want to do this so the fruit has room to grow and roam on the ground. The pot is really only there for feeding and watering the plant.
* Angela planted three seedlings in a triangle in the container.
When to plant
You need to plant when you have consistently warm temperature in the air and the soil. Watermelons like heat!
How often to fertilize. Angela recommends you fertilize every month or two. She likes the fertilizer spikes which time-releases the fertilizer. Again, always use organic.
Watering
Water deeply about twice per week.
How to grow watermelon vertically
On to the next lesson. Mindy McIntosh-Shetter, an Environmental Educator offers excellent tips on growing watermelons vertically.
Training the watermelon to grow on a trellis
Mindy has trained her watermelon to grow vertically up her trellis. Side note, her trellis is simply garden string that is tied between two pieces of 1 or 1.5” round stakes.
The watermelon already grows tendrils so that it can secure itself to a structure. You want to gently wrap those tendrils around the trellis so the plant has a direction to grow.
What to do when fruit begins to grow
For a small watermelon variety, Mindy recommends using a knee-hi stocking or pantyhose.
The stocking will stretch as the fruit grows but will still allow the fruit to breathe which is very important for rot prevention.
After wrapping the fruit with the pantyhose or stocking, tie the end off or use twine to secure the end.
What if your fruit is larger or heavier? Create a hammock for it out of an old cotton t-shirt. Make sure it is 100% cotton. Polyester retains moisture which will cause the fruit to rot. Cotton breathes and dries out quickly.
How to wrap the fruit in a hammock
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/130182245452453373/
Tie one end to one side of the fruit on the trellis. Pull the material underneath the fruit and tie the other end of the material to the trellis. This technique works best for larger, heavier fruits.
There you have it. The best of the best on growing watermelons in containers. Between these two video tutorials and your fun in the sub, you will be having your very own summer watermelon party in no time!
Dr. Earth Organic 5 Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer Poly BagSusquehanna SP17871 20-Inch Large Outdoor Square Planter, Western Red CedarPackage of 100 Seeds, Sugar Baby Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)247Garden 5-Pack 7 Gallon Grow Bags /Aeration Fabric Pots w/Handles (Black)
