Quick mention

Summer is the time of year of juicy , refreshing watermelons . While it ’s tempting to grease one’s palms them pre - sliced at the grocery store store , there ’s nothing quite like growing your own . Planting Citrullus vulgaris seeds indoors is a great way to get a head start on the season and enjoy homegrown melon . Here ’s a step - by - dance step guideto help you get start :

Materials You’ll Need

Step 1: Choose the Right Seeds

Select high - timbre watermelon seeds from areputable source . opt salmagundi that are worthy for your climate and growing conditions .

Step 2: Prepare the Seeds

Soak the seed inwarm waterfor 24 hours to encourage sprouting . This will soften theseed coatand stop number up the stock process .

Step 3: Fill the Seedling Trays

Fill seedling trays or crapper withseed starting mix . Moisten the premix soundly and check that it ’s well - drain .

Step 4: Plant the Seeds

Make small gob in the grime , about 1/2inch deep . Place one seed in each hole and pass over it with soil . mildly agitate down on the grease to tauten it .

Step 5: Provide Warmth

If you live in acold climate , you may desire to use a heat gym mat toprovide extra warmthfor the seeds . This will assist them develop faster .

Step 6: Provide Light

watermelon vine seedlings demand plenty of light to acquire strong and healthy . If you do n’t have enoughnatural light , you’re able to supplement with grow light .

Step 7: Water and Fertilize

Water the seedlings regularly , but nullify overwatering . When the seedlings have develop their first go under oftrue leaf , lead off fertilizingthem with a balanced plant food .

Step 8: Transplant Outdoors

Once the seedlings have acquire several sets of leaves and the weather is warm enough , it ’s clock time to transfer them outdoors . prefer asunny spotwith well - drained soil .

Step 9: Support the Vines

Watermelon vines can grow quite declamatory , so it ’s significant toprovide support . you may employ trellises , stakes , or cages to keep the vines off the ground .

Step 10: Control Pests and Diseases

watermelon vine plants can be susceptible to pest and diseases . Keep an eye out for aphids , whitefly , andpowdery mold . Treat anyinfestations promptlywith appropriate pesticides or antifungal agent .

Step 11: Harvest Your Watermelons

Watermelons are ready to harvest when the rind is hard and the bottom of themelon sounds hollowwhen tap . rationalize the melon from the vine with a shrewd knife .

Tips for Success

The Sweet Reward

grow watermelon indoors is a rewarding experience . With a small patience and care , you may enjoy thesweet tasteofhomegrown melonsall summertime long .

FAQ

Q : How long does it take forwatermelon seedsto germinate?A : Watermelon come typically germinatewithin 3 - 7 days . Q : How late should I establish watermelon vine seeds?A : Plant watermelon seedsabout 1/2inch deepin the soil . Q : How often should I water watermelon seedlings?A : Water Citrullus vulgaris seedlings regularly , butavoid overwatering . reserve the soil to dry out slightly between waterings . Q : How much light dowatermelon seedlingsneed?A : Watermelon seedlingsneed mickle of light togrow strongand salubrious . Provide at least 12 hours of light per day , either from innate or artificial author . Q : When should I transfer watermelon seedling outdoors?A : graft watermelon seedlings outdoorsonce they have break several sets of leaf and the weather is warm enough .