Growing Instructions
- Prepare soil by digging and incorporating liberal amounts of well-rotted compost or farmyard manure over-winter.
- Watermelons thrive in a sunny, warm location
- Sow April to May 1cm (½in) deep, in 7cm (3.5in) pots of free-draining seed sowing mix.
- Place in a (propagator, airing cupboard)
- keep at a temperature of around 20-25C (68-77F) until after germination, usually 5-7 days.
- When first true leaves develop, transplant into 13cm (5in) pots for a few weeks.
- Plant out 24 inches apart after carefully hardening off after all risk of frost in a warm sheltered position in full sun or for a more reliable crop under glass.
- Water regularly and feed with liquid fertilizer every 14 days.
- Pinch out growing point at the 4 leaf stage and train the laterals (side-shoots) along the row. Hand pollinate if required.
- At harvest time, tap the watermelon with your knuckles, and if it sounds hollow, it’s ripe.
