How To Grow Watermelon In The Ground

Growing watermelon in the ground is one of the most rewarding gardening projects you can take on.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to grow watermelon in the ground, the good news is it’s totally doable with the right prep and a little patience.
 
Watermelons love warm soil, plenty of sunshine, and space to spread out, so growing them in the ground gives those vines all the room they need to thrive.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to grow watermelon in the ground step by step, from choosing the right spot to knowing exactly when to harvest.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Grow Watermelon in the Ground: The Essentials

Growing watermelon in the ground starts with getting a few fundamentals right, because these plants are heavy feeders and thirsty drinkers.
 
Here’s what matters most when you grow watermelon in the ground:
 

1. Pick a Spot With Full Sun

Watermelons need at least 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight every single day.
 
When you grow watermelon in the ground, a sunny spot means sweeter fruit, because sunlight drives photosynthesis and sugar production.
 
Avoid areas shaded by trees or buildings, since even a few hours of shade can slow growth and reduce yield.
 

2. Prepare Loose, Well-Draining Soil

Watermelon vines hate soggy roots, so the soil needs to drain well.
 
Aim for a sandy loam with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8, and mix in plenty of compost before planting.
 
If you’re growing watermelon in the ground in heavy clay, build raised mounds so water runs off instead of pooling.
 

3. Wait for Warm Soil

Don’t rush planting, because watermelon seeds won’t germinate in cold ground.
 
Soil should be at least 70°F before you sow, which usually means waiting two weeks after the last frost.
 
For an earlier start, you can grow watermelon in the ground from transplants you started indoors three to four weeks before.
 

Planting and Caring for Watermelon in the Ground

Once your site is ready, planting is simple, but the ongoing care is where the real magic happens.
 
Here’s how to keep those vines happy.
 

1. Space Plants Properly

Watermelon vines sprawl, so give them room.
 
Plant seeds or transplants about 3 feet apart in rows 6 to 8 feet apart, or plant in hills with two to three seeds each.
 
When you grow watermelon in the ground, this spacing keeps airflow moving and reduces disease.
 

2. Water Deeply but Not Too Often

Watermelons have deep roots, so soak the soil thoroughly once or twice a week rather than splashing a little every day.
 
Drip irrigation works great because it keeps foliage dry and helps prevent mildew.
 
Once fruit starts ripening, cut back on water slightly, as too much at the end dilutes flavor.
 

3. Feed the Vines

These are hungry plants, so mix compost into the soil at planting and side-dress with a balanced fertilizer when vines start running.
 
Avoid too much nitrogen, though, or you’ll get giant leaves and very few melons.
 

4. Control Weeds Early

Young watermelon seedlings don’t compete well with weeds.
 
Mulch around plants once they’re established to suppress weeds and hold moisture in the soil.
 
Just keep mulch a few inches away from the stems so they don’t rot.
 

5. Watch for Pests and Diseases

Aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs love watermelon vines.
 
Row covers early on help, but remove them once flowers appear so pollinators can reach the blooms.
 
Also rotate your crops each year, because growing watermelon in the same ground spot invites soil-borne disease.
 

Harvesting Watermelon Grown in the Ground

Knowing when to pick is the trickiest part of growing watermelon in the ground, because melons don’t ripen much after picking.
 
Here’s how to tell they’re ready.
 

1. Check the Tendril

Look at the curly tendril closest to the fruit’s stem.
 
When it dries up and turns brown, that’s a strong sign the watermelon is ripe.
 

2. Thump and Listen

Give the melon a firm tap with your knuckles.
 
A ripe watermelon sounds hollow and deep, while an unripe one sounds dull and flat.
 

3. Look at the Field Spot

The spot where the melon rested on the ground should be creamy yellow, not white or green.
 
That color change means the fruit finished ripening on the vine.
 

4. Watch the Skin

A ripe watermelon’s skin turns dull rather than shiny, and the stripes become less defined.
 
Once you see these signs, cut the melon from the vine with a sharp knife, leaving a short stem.
 

So, How Do You Grow Watermelon in the Ground?

Growing watermelon in the ground comes down to warm soil, full sun, deep watering, and patience.
 
If you give those vines space to sprawl and feed them well, you’ll be rewarded with sweet, juicy melons by late summer.
 
Start with good soil, keep the weeds down, and watch that tendril for the perfect harvest moment.
 
Once you’ve grown watermelon in the ground yourself, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again.