They generally ripen over a two-week period,so keep your eye onthem. 5. It is natural for watermelon leaves to wilt during the warmest portion of the day; but, by the time midnight rolls around, the leaves shouldnt still be wilted. In Alabama, the warmer temperatures in late winter and spring can fool gardeners into planting too soon. If you wait until the weeds are grown, their extensive root systems may damage the shallow roots of a watermelon, thus it is important to pluck them by hand as often as possible when they are still little. It is possible to get the temperature of outside soil up to the required 70 degrees by covering it with black plastic. As fruit is ripening, prevent rotting by gently lifting it and putting cardboard or straw between the fruit and thesoil. This creates a barrier between the soggy dirt and the delicate fruit so that it doesnt rot. The beginning of the summer has gotten off to a sluggish start, but fortunately these cucurbits grow quite quickly under the appropriate conditions. Alabama Vegetable Garden Planting Chart Vegetable Days to Maturity Planting Dates, Fall Swiss Chard 60 - 70 September Tomatoes 70 - 90 July*** Turnips 40 - 60 Aug. 10 - Oct. 1 Watermelons 80 - 90 June 15-30. Sugar babies. Watermelon seeds should not be started earlier than they need to be. If the garden is heavily infested with nematodes, either move the garden or heat the soil through a process called soil solarization. Published at 7:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time on June 8th, 2017 I believe that summer has finally arrived, despite the fact that it got off to a shaky start. Find the best dates for planting and transplanting vegetables, herbs, and fruit! Watermelons, as well as other types of melons, can be grown from June through September. It does not matter what kind of plant you intend to cultivate in your containers as long as you place them in a spot where they will be exposed to at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Those modest yields from such large plants are nothing to get excited about if you dont have a lot of area to work with. Everyone is welcome! Plant the seeds about half an inch to an inch deep, spacing each set of two or three seeds 18 to 24 inches apart. Deep cultivation after plants are older will do more damage than good. The watermelon is ripe when there is little contrast between thestripes. Then, make sure there are plenty of nutrients in your garden. Motivational and inspirational sources to all those parents to enjoy life with their babies, Home FAQ When To Plant Watermelon In Alabama. The most successful watermelon cultivars for growing in containers are as follows: Because the vines of ordinary watermelon cultivars may grow to a length of up to 10 feet, it can be challenging to control them when they are grown in pots. Site. Tuscaloosa, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a. Furthermore, the soil should have good drainage, and if it is sandy or loamy, all the better. What you need to know about watermelon. Whenever planting in a zone, it is important to only use plants rated for that specific zone or lower. For a successful garden, you must control insects. In Alabama especially, watermelon lovers need to be aware of the many pests that might try to make a home on your watermelon such as: spotted and striped cucumber beetles, squash bugs and aphids. Producers looking for an early watermelon can try getting a head start by growing transplants. Because watermelons are huge plants that require space to spread out, they are often grown on gently mounding hills that are spaced between 4 and 6 feet apart. Once pollination occurs, the female flowers will start to develop the fruit. Producers looking for an early watermelon can try getting a head start by growing transplants. When to Plant Watermelons In cool climates with short growing seasons, start seeds indoors 2 to 3 weeks before your last frost date. To grow to their large size, watermelons need soil full of nutrients that also drains well. Ensure that the plants have adequate room. Sign up for special offers, how-to guides, and seasonal information! Everyone seems to love juicy watermelon in the summertime. The earliest that you can plant watermelon in Zone 7b is April . Climate: tropical, sub-tropical; warm and . Box 520 | Dublin, NH 03444. If its half-dead, the watermelon is nearly ripe or ripe. A soil test is the best way to determine lime and fertilizer needs. Set the seeds into the soil about an inch deep. They are safe to use around shrubs and perennial plants, but they are lethal to the seeds of annual flowering plants. The trick is to wait until the really hot weather has passed, but not wait too long or the plants won't have time to mature before the cold and dark of midwinter. Everyone is welcome! Radishes. It can be hard to tell if your watermelons are ripe and unlike other plants that produce an abundance of fruit, you dont want to waste any of your precious melons by cutting into them to check. Planting seeds for a watermelon crop during a time of year when the soil is too cold might result in a low germination rate for the seeds. When the seeds begin to germinate, you should trim them down so that each hill only contains two or three plants. They often begin producing male flowers several weeks before the females appear. Watermelons require full sunlight in order to thrive. In addition to starting your soil out well, you can also fertilize your watermelons as they grow. If watermelons do not receive sufficient sunlight, they will not develop blossoms or fruits on their plants. that ensures all people have access to information that improves their quality of life (40 seeds), therefore please do not hesitate to get it. Use biosensitive insecticides as your first choice to treat for insect problems in the garden. Space onion plants 6 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. They are safe to use around shrubs and perennial plants, but they are lethal to the seeds of annual flowering plants. Nevertheless, gardeners in colder areas can still have success producing watermelons by beginning seeds indoors, acquiring young plants from a nursery, or cultivating kinds with a shorter growth season. Keep plants about 3 feet apart. Some watermelon varieties offer resistance or tolerance to certain diseases including fusarium wilt race 1, anthracnose, and powdery mildew. Watermelons can be a great crop for home production, as well as commercial production. Steer clear of fertilizers that double as weed killers and plant food. It is very common for plants in the same family to share diseases, making it very important to rotate crops. Alabama planting zones range from 7a to 9a. Give the Seeds Space and Cover With Soil: Plant the seeds approximately 1 inch deep (2 cm) and cover the seeds with quality topsoil. 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Cooperative Extension System operates as the primary outreach organization If you live in a colder climate, start the seeds indoors about a month before transplanting. Depth: to 1-inch seed depth, transplant slightly deeper. No guarantee, endorsement, or discrimination among comparable products is intended or implied by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. This medium-sized, 8-13 lb. When to Plant Watermelon in Zone 7 and Higher. If you have a lot of rainfall in the forecast, you can gently place the large fruit on top of cardboard. When To Plant Cucumbers Planting Guide 2023, When To Plant Pumpkins Planting Guide 2023, When To Plant Tomatoes Planting Guide 2023, WHEN TO PLANT TULIPS PLANTING GUIDE 2023, When to Plant Lavender Planting Guide 2023. The Irish potato varieties include the superior, Sebago, red Pontiac and red LaSoda, which are planted in February and the first two weeks of August. Experience and close observation are the best guides for additional side-dressing. Wrap tightly inplastic. This will help warm the soil, creating a more welcoming environment for your plants. They love hot temperatures and warm soil, so should be ok. It's typically a range like 80 to 120 days. You can also pinch off some blossoms to focus the energy on fewer melons (though its a challenge to kill off a potentialfruit). The space between rows itself is about 5 feet. Kale. After about 80 days, your watermelons should be ready to eat! Plant watermelon from late spring to early summer, once soil temperatures reach 70 F or above. Water seeds into the hills after planting. If the watermelon sounds like it gives a little, its ripe. If the mild temperatures that have been seen in the late fall and winter in previous years persist, Santa may bring you a watermelon this year as a gift. Taking 80 days to mature, this variety is about 10 pounds in weight. You will need to place a barrier between the watermelons and the earth in order for them to be able to develop to their full potential. Can you plant tomatoes in July in Alabama? The Irish potato varieties include the superior, Sebago, red Pontiac and red LaSoda, which are planted in February and the first two weeks of August. If cut, they can last in the refrigerator for about 4 days. Can you grow carrots in Alabama? Plan to space the plants 2-3 feet apart in a 5-foot-widehill. Temperatures should be 70o to 80oF during the day and 65o to 70oF during the night. Alabama's climate allows us to grow carrots and many other root vegetables as both spring and fall crops. If you wait until the weeds are grown, their extensive root systems may damage the shallow roots of a watermelon, thus it is important to pluck them by hand as often as possible when they are still little. How late can you plant watermelons in Alabama? 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