Some of my favorite summer memories are of my father cutting watermelon into slices. He would divvy them up, and we would waste no time grabbing our pieces and eating them on the stoop outside.Watermelon is usually ripe when summer peaks and offers a beautiful reprieve from the heat. This past year, I was on a mission to learn how to grow watermelon in containers and relive some of those summer memories. Home gardeners often avoid growing watermelon due to their enormous growth. In this article, you will learn how to grow a small but sweet variety of watermelon that is very happy growing in small containers in your yard.
Helpful Items When Growing Watermelon in Containers
A Brief Introduction to Growing Watermelon in Containers
The sweet taste of watermelon for many of us has been unattainable due to space restrictions for a long time. After all, most of us do not have the space to allow sprawling vines to lay out over the land.
Container gardening has changed all that! By growing watermelon in containers, gardeners can grow watermelon on patios, balconies, terraces…pretty much anywhere!
Instead of planting our watermelon seeds in the ground like traditional growers, we will be planing our seeds in containers.
The benefits of this method are many. First, there is no more kneeling down to tend to vines growing along the ground. We will be training our watermelon vines upwards allowing us a better vantage point when tending to our plants.
Secondly, we will have better control of battling common pests and diseases that impact watermelon. Our vines and fruit will be growing off the ground, mitigating many problems.
Lastly, we will have better control of watering and fertilizing allowing us to cultivate some of the sweetest watermelon you have ever tasted.
Keep reading if you are ready to start your journey!
Choosing the Correct Container for Growing Watermelon
Growing watermelon in containers is relatively easy, but you want to start with a suitable variety. Sugar baby watermelons are a smaller variety that grows to about 4′ tall.
Because they stay relatively small, they are the perfect choice for container gardening.
Whenever I plant in a container, my most important task is ensuring I have the best possible soil. It is essential and the difference between having an ample harvest and not having a crop.
The container you choose to grow your plants in is just as important. You will want to make sure it is a well-draining pot. If your container does not have drainage holes, you must make your own. An electric dill will make fast work of this job.
One of my favorite kinds of containers to use is fabric pots. They are lightweight, breathable, and easy to clean at the end of the season. In addition, they come in so many colors that you are no longer just pigeonholed into using the color black.
Whichever kind of container material you choose, make sure it is large enough to let the roots of your watermelon grow.
We chose a 15-gallon pot lying around to plant our watermelon, but using a 5 pot will work just as well!
Best Soil to Grow Watermelon in Containers
The soil you use to grow your watermelon is just as important as the container choice.
We like to start with FoxFarms potting soil. We amend our soil with organic compost, bone, and blood meal yearly.
Watermelon prefer well-draining soil high in nutrients. Instead of using pre-made potting soil, you can opt for mixing your own. We suggest using one part vermiculite, one part compost, and one part coconut coir.
In addition to starting off with a well-suited potting mix, I like to incorporate blood meal and bone meal to the soil.
Which is the best watermelon variety to plant when growing in containers?
The best watermelon varieties to plant for container gardening are the ones that grow small and petite. These are:
Bush Sugar Baby: This variety is a compact, bushy plant that produces small, sweet watermelons that are perfect for container gardening.
Sugar Baby: This classic watermelon variety is known for its small size, sweet flavor, and thin rind. It’s a great choice for container gardening because it has a relatively short vine and doesn’t require a lot of space.
Mini Love: This is a popular variety of watermelon that produces small, round fruit that are perfect for container gardening. The plant has a compact, bushy habit and doesn’t require a lot of space.
Golden Midget: This is a small, early-maturing variety of watermelon that is ideal for container gardening. It produces small, yellow-fleshed fruit that are sweet and juicy.
Blacktail Mountain: This is a compact, bushy watermelon plant that is well-suited for container gardening. It produces small to medium-sized fruit with a dark green rind and sweet, juicy flesh.
Planting Watermelon Seeds
You want to first start off with quality organic/non-GMO watermelon seeds that are suitable to grow in containers.
My personal favorite are sugar baby watermelons but there are many others to choose from.
We’re in zone 7b, and winter sow our melons in plastic jugs. The seeds we plant are ready to transplant into the pot in the spring.
Alternatively, you can direct sow or start your seeds indoors four weeks before your transplant date.
You want to plant three to four seeds one inch deep per spot. Make sure to leave space between each planting.
About four inches apart will suffice.
Once your seedlings emerge and true leaves form, snip the weakest links and leave only one plant per spot.
Vertical Gardening
Although the variety of watermelon we plant for containers grow much smaller than other varieties, they can still benefit from a trellis.
The watermelon plant is a vining plant. This means it grows horizontally along the ground, setting fruit as it grows. Because we are growing our watermelon in containers, we want to train it to grow vertically so that we save space.
Our favorite way is to turn a tomato cage upside down in the pot, and we do this when we plant the seeds and bury the cage about 1/3 of the way down.
Trellises, bamboo stakes, or cages can all be used for this endeavor.
Pruning and training watermelon vines can help improve fruit quality, reduce disease pressure, and make harvesting easier.
One technique is to pinch off the growing tips of the vines after they have set fruit. This can help redirect the plant’s energy into producing larger, sweeter fruit instead of more vine growth.
Another technique is to remove any side shoots or “suckers” that grow from the main stem, as these can compete for nutrients and reduce fruit size.
Training the vines to grow vertically can also be done by gently tying them to the trellis or stake as they grow.
Water and Food
The key to delicious and sweet watermelon is watering and feeding your plants well!
Containers tend to try out quite quickly in the summer heat. You will need to monitor your plants weekly or sometimes daily, depending on how much rain your area receives.
If you do not already have one installed, we highly recommend adding a rain barrel to your garden area. There is something about rain water that makes fruits and veggies grow!
In addition, your plant will need a well balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
Feed once per month according to your package directions, and water it well.
Pests and Diseases to Watch for When Growing Watermelon in Containers
Although growing watermelon in containers will mitigate many pests and diseases, you still will have to keep an eye on your watermelon as it grows.
Some common watermelon pests and diseases to contend with are:
Aphids: These small, soft-bodied insects can cluster on the undersides of leaves and cause wilting and yellowing of the plant.
Spider mites: These tiny pests can cause yellowing and stippling on the leaves of the plant.
Whiteflies: These small, moth-like insects can cause stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, and a sticky residue on the leaves.
Fusarium wilt: This fungal disease can cause yellowing and wilting of the leaves, as well as brown discoloration of the stem.
Powdery mildew: This fungal disease appears as a white or gray powdery coating on the leaves, and can cause stunted growth and reduced fruit production.
Prevention and treatment:
Practice good hygiene: Start with clean, disease-free plants and containers. Wash your hands and gardening tools between handling plants to prevent the spread of disease.
Monitor for pests and diseases: Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests or diseases. Early detection and treatment can prevent further spread.
Provide proper growing conditions: Ensure your plants have proper air circulation and are not overcrowded, as this can encourage the spread of disease. Also, avoid overwatering, as this can create conditions that favor fungal growth.
Use natural pest control methods: Insecticidal soap, neem oil, and predatory insects such as ladybugs can help control aphids and other pests.
Use fungicides: In severe cases of fungal diseases, you may need to use a fungicide. Look for organic options, such as copper-based fungicides, and follow the label instructions carefully.
Harvest Time
It’s important to wait until the fruit on your plant is ripe before picking. Unripe watermelon will lack the sweet taste we are looking for from our watermelon.
The tendrils near the fruit will tell you when the melon is ready to harvest.
Wait until the tendril turns brown. This signifies the sweet fruit is ready for harvest.
Alternatively, the fruit will have a hollow sound when tapped. This will signify the melon is ready to be harvested.
Melons can be kept on the counter for a few days but are best enjoyed on the spot! Watermelon can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
How to Save Watermelon Seeds
Make sure to save some seeds for next year. Once your watermelon is ready to eat, save the seeds by carefully removing them from the fruit. Be careful not to damage the protective outer shell of the seed.
Place seeds on a paper plate or paper plate. Once dry, place in a sealable bag until next year. Store seeds in a cool, dry place.
Frequently Asked Questions When Learning How to Grow Watermelon in Containers
Can watermelons be successfully grown in containers?
Yes, but only by selecting a pot with adequate depth and volume to accommodate its root system. Furthermore, selecting a dwarf variety is also highly recommended when growing watermelons in this manner.
What type of container should I use for growing watermelons?
When selecting the ideal container for watermelons, look for one with at least 18-inches depth (45 cm). Make sure it has drainage holes to avoid waterlogging which could result in root rot.
How can I sow watermelons seeds in containers?
Fill your container with well-draining potting soil mixed with compost and sow your seeds 1″ (2.5 cm) deep, placing two or three seeds per container. As seedlings emerge, thin them down so only one healthy plant remains per container. Also ensure your soil stays consistently moist without becoming waterlogged while providing plenty of sunlight to your plants.
How Can I Care for Watermelons Grown in Containers?
Watermelons require regular attention in containers in order to thrive. Water them regularly. Containers tend to dry out much more quickly and require more watering than planting in ground. In addition, provide direct sunlight each day for 6-8 hours (trellises or stakes may help support vines from sprawling across the ground). Furthermore, fertilize the plants using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer according to package instructions, while watching for pests or diseases regularly.
How many watermelon seedlings should I plant in each pot?
When planting watermelon seedlings in pots, it’s generally recommended to sow two or three seeds at once in each pot for optimal germination rates and to ensure at least one healthy seedling emerges. Once these seedlings have emerged and grown a few inches tall, thinning should take place to give each remaining strong and healthy plant enough space, nutrients and resources needed for its successful growth and yield a productive watermelons plant. Doing this also prevents overcrowding which may inhibit individual plant’s potential success and prevent competition among them by their competitors for resources as well as overcrowding which might restricts individual’s development and growth.
Final Thoughts
Growing in containers is a wonderful way to grow beloved vegetables and fruits when you might not have the space in your yard.
By choosing a variety of watermelon that does well planted in small spaces, you can enjoy the sweet tasting fruit in your backyard or balcony.
Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions or if you plan to try and grow some of your own this season.
