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Planting watermelon

Watermelon    SC

When I transplant my watermelon seedlings is it necessary to mound the soil into a hill or can I just plant them into level soil? I wish I had planted them directly into the garden to be honest but what's done is done and I need to make the best of it. Tips for transplanting welcome.


Posted by: Melanie Young (10 points) Melanie Young
Posted: May 25, 2013




Answers

1
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it depends on your growing zone, mounding is a technique to help keep the soil above 60 F, the minimum temperature for melons and cukes to sprout and grow. If your area has soil that stays 60+ F for the entire growing season then mounding and plastic mulch isn't needed, but can still increase your yield.


Posted by: J.D. Archer (31 points) J.D. Archer
Posted: May 27, 2013




1
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Many gardeners use mounding techniques in very heavy, wet soil to keep plant roots from drowning. But if you do plant your watermelon in mounds, especially without a heavy organic or a black plastic mulch, remember that the mound increases the surface area for soil evaporation, so you'll need to monitor the soil moisture carefully, especially after the fruit begins to form. (They call it "water"melon for a good reason!)


Posted by: Peg Boyles (4 points) Peg Boyles
Posted: May 27, 2013




1
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I have not had good luck with "mounds" for watermelon unless they are fairly broad and gently sloping. Otherwise with heavy rain they seem to erode away and expose the root base. I have fairly sandy soil which contributes to the problem.


Posted by: Jean (7 points) Jean
Posted: June 6, 2013




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