How to water a watermelon for the plumpest, sweetest yield? Check out our Watering Tips For a Juicy Watermelon Harvest
Nearly the entire fruit is made up of—you guessed it—water! But too much can cause it to wilt, and too little will kill the plant. So, let’s explore these precise watering tips and techniques to enjoy a delicious and juicy watermelon harvest right in your backyard!
Watering Tips For a Juicy Watermelon Harvest
1. Water Early
In its early stage, this vining fruit plant needs plenty of water to develop strong roots. During the flowering stage and just before fruits start sprouting, if the plant doesn’t get enough water, it doesn’t convert them into fruits, or they may grow stunted or too weak to support themselves on the vine.
While watering, aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around the plants can be really helpful in this regard.
2. Water Deeply and Regularly
As the plant starts producing fruits, water deeply but less frequently. Dig into the soil and water at least six inches deep; this coaxes the roots to grow long and strong as they dive in to find water. Ensure that the soil is well-saturated with moisture to its depths. Use a shovel to dig and turn the soil to do this.
Deep watering prevents shallow root growth, which makes watermelons more susceptible to drought stress. And remember to avoid watering its leaves, as this can lead to fungal infestations and mold. Lastly, when you have watered deeply, wait for the first inch of the soil to become slightly dry before irrigating again. However, ensure the growing medium underneath the surface remains moist, as watermelon doesn’t like dry soil.
3. Use Drip Irrigation
So, how do we target roots efficiently? With drip irrigation. This warm-season fruit is always thirsty but doesn’t enjoy getting its pretty foliage wet. Use drip irrigation to hydrate its roots directly. This way, watering is precise and with minimum wastage. It also reduces evaporation and runoff while providing a consistent and controlled water supply.
This method also allows the soil to stay perfectly moist till the ideal depth without waterlogging, keeping water-borne diseases at bay. You can even tune the system to release water slowly and regularly by installing a timer to automate schedules!
4. Cut Back On Watering
Now, your sweet, plump fruits are nearly ready for harvest. But don’t get too excited and keep watering, for you’ll ruin your fruit.
Once your watermelon plant becomes 3-4 months old and you notice the fruits reaching maturity, it’s time now to reduce watering a bit. For example, if you were watering 2-3 times a week, do it once a week now until the harvesting stage.
Begin cutting back on hydration even more, at least 10-15 days before the fruit is ready to harvest. Water minimally only to save the soil from drying out completely so that the plant can focus on ripening its fruits. You’ll know your watermelons are ripe when the tendrils closest to the fruit and stems start drying up and start to appear yellowish.
Yellowing leaves and the fruit’s bright green hues beginning to fade are also clear indications to refrain from watering.
In its ripened days, less water leads to consolidated sugars in the fruit, giving you the sweetest watermelon harvest! This controlled water stress is the secret to getting sweet and flavorful fruits, as too much water during the ripening days leads to the dilution of sugar in the fruit.
5. Use Rainwater
Rainwater is a chemical-free, mineral-rich gift of nature. It is neutral, contains nitrogen, and has no chlorine or fluoride, making it the most wonderful thirst-breaker for plants.
Harvest rainwater for a bountiful watermelon yield by setting up a barrel to catch runoff from your roof. Connect the barrel to a soaker hose or drip irrigation system to use this naturally soft water efficiently.
Now, if your region experiences heavy, torrential downpours, have an excellent drainage system around your watermelon patch to prevent waterlogging. For this, you can ensure the growing medium remains well-drained and sandy instead of clayey.
Watermelon Growing Tips
Now that we know how to water the watermelon nicely, remember to choose the right variety for your backyard, as different cultivars have different needs. Keep in mind that this plant, while thirsty, also loves full sunshine and heat, which helps it produce sweeter fruits!
This low-growing scrambler is also prone to weed attacks. Keep your watermelon patch weed-free, especially when it’s young and developing, to reduce competition for water and nutrients. You can use shallow cultivation or mulch to control weeds around the plants. Also, check out our article on the best companion plants for this fruit.
Plant seeds with sufficient in-between space to ensure good airflow, and remember to prune extra growth regularly to get better and plumper fruits. These heavy-feeders thrive in well-drained, slightly acidic soil under full sun and warmth. But give it some shade on extra hot days to prevent sunburn and heat stress.
