Your comments and tips

05 Dec 17, marylou (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi, Have you notice any bees? If you don't then that might be you problem. regards Marylou

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01 Mar 17, Mark (Australia - temperate climate)

With Watermelon, I find the leaner the soil, the better (I grow in a very sandy/gravel soil with great results. In a temperate climate you should get your seeds planted early Spring, and get the seedlings in the ground once the overnight temperatures rise (late Sept/early October) as they need a long Summer season. I'm in S.E.South Oz and grow both Watermelon and Cucumber in abundance. Regular heavy watering in a North facing (full sun) position should do the trick. As Watermelon and Cucumber are the same family, once you start seeing flowers, spray/mist water onto the flowers to promote more growth. Good luck!

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26 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Watermelons generally like a long hot season. Next season look up some of the heritage seed companies and get seed of varieties that are 'short' season or cooler climate. This may solve your problem as in countries like Canada and The northern USA as well as some parts of Europe watermelons are grown. Your soil preparation sounds great. Cucurbits like watermelons produce male flowers earlier than female (fruiting) flowers so growing a shorter season variety may help. All the best.

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08 Feb 17, Hermann Jacques Keyser (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

I planted seeds about September 2016, and we live in Mpumalanga , Witbank. The first melons are forming, we have had good rain fall this year, I am just starting out farming, and am proud to say to see that all my crops of all types of vegetables have bared fruit and vegetables in such a short time. I am planning to do a larger quantity and the water outside our place never dries up, what do I do to improve my crops. I hope that my request will get help with regards to the water issue, water lies daily on the surface, we are not sure if there is a bore hole. Thank you Hermann Jacques Keyser.

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09 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

It is great to see your enthusiasm for growing food. The four needs of all living things are Sunshine, Food, Water and Care. Sunshine is free so we need to provide the other three. Adding old manure in the Autumn, providing consistent water and mulching in the summer to conserve water and help control weeds will all help produce good crops. The other things are - planting the right variety for the time of the year and removing weeds which use the food and water in the soil. If you look up the Dept of Agriculture or Primary Industries in the internet they will have people or Information Sheets thet will help. All the best with your plans.

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05 Feb 17, jenny philippi (Australia - tropical climate)

we have planted potatoes in our veg but all of a sudden this vine appears and weeks later we realize it is a watermelon vine your page said watermelons should be avoided planting with potatoes. ours came up on their own. will both survive?

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06 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

They may not be good companions but if both are doing wellit's not going to cost you anything to let them go. If the melon roots are intertwined with a potato you may have to leave that potato until the tops of both die down

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16 Jan 17, (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Can anyone give details of how to prune runners/vines of watermelons to achieve better fruit in Canterbury? I was told quite a few years ago that this is a good method in colder climates to encourage better fruit and good ripening.

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20 Jan 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Probably the best thing to do is to buy heritage seeds that have been listed as originating in short season climates like Canada and the northern USA. They have a much shorter growing season. The other alternative is to wait until 2 or maybe 3 melons have formed and then cut all subsequent runners off to give the plant the most to put into those 2 or 3 melons. Trust this helps.

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05 Jan 17, Teboho (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

If you do not have access to cow manure, but nitrogen rich fertilizers or otherwise, pour a mixture of 2 water and 1 urine on the plan roots...it has worked for me for more than five years

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