Growing Watermelons in Our Garden
August 8, 2012 by Aimee • 12 Comments
In late Spring, we started a vegetable garden in our backyard. We’ve had tons of squash, zucchinis, cucumbers, and arugula. We’ve also had some strawberries, tomatoes, cantaloupes, carrots, and spinach. But our very favorite garden treat was definitely growing watermelons! Watermelons grow on a vine with large crinkled leaves. These vines thrive in heat and do not require a ton of water or attention…from three plants we grew eight yummy little watermelons.
Watermelons like well-drained soil, require a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight, and spread like crazy (like 6 feet). They need water when the soil dries or when the vines look a bit wilted. We were amazed by how little water these vines required considering our heat.
We found holding off on watering a week prior to harvesting, (not to the point that the vine withers too much) increased our watermelon’s sweetness. Our watermelon took 3 months to grow and we tested it’s ripeness by thumping on it, listening for a dull thump back. We also noticed the underside had turned pale-yellow (not pale-green or pale-white) when we harvested. Cut watermelon should be stored in an air-tight container, refrigerated and used within a few days.
My three sweet B’s are so proud of their gardening experience this summer! It has been awesome for them to see firsthand the process of growing vegetables and fruit from a seed to the food we put on our table. And I love that they’ve been a part each step along the way!
Our watermelon was so sweet and tasty! I love that watermelons are low calorie and contain a good amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants. And I was surprised how easy they were to grow. Definitely on our must grow list next Spring!
For a lot more Gardening Tips and Tutorials click here. And if you are looking for a great watermelon inspired treat, check out my Watermelon Surprise Push-Up Pops!
That is the one thing we haven’t picked yet. I think they are ready and I reminded my husband not to let them rot.
Wow, I’m so inspired to start a garden. When do you get everything accomplished?! You are superwoman!
Pinned!
How fun to grow watermelons! Yum! Our growing season is far too short here in IL for watermelon, but the vegggies in my garden love the heat this year–unfortunately we also have a drought, so I have watered a LOT.
Love the pix of your little cuties enjoying the melon.
Thanks for your sweet note! Fresh veggies…YUM! Crossing my fingers you get a nice rain shower soon! XO, Aimee
This is so cool. Some weeks I can’t get enough of Watermelon. Having to eat it within a few days is never a problem for me!
Nothing creates more excitement when it grows in our garden as the watermelon does. Even from me!
~Bliss~
That’s too funny…I guess it’s universal. Amazing that something can start so small and become so large…and SWEET! XO, Aimee
Awesome! We started our watermelons late this season so we are still waiting for them to ripen. Great captures!
I love watermelon–wish I would have tried growing that this year! We’ve had such a drought that the only survivors were potatoes!
There are some varieties that we can grow here, but it’s tricky. I love your photos -watermelon looks like a lot of fun to grow.
I’d love to do watermelon,but I have such a small yard. The pops look so good! Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success!
Last year, my daughter decided that our only watermelon was big enough, and she picked it. It was white inside. She learned a good lesson, but we sure missed out watermelon! Thanks so much for linking up at One Creative Weekend! I hope to see you back tomorrow!