square watermelon sowing part 2

Planting and Growing Watermelon

1. Create hills in the soil. Hills or mounds tend to drain better than flat soil, which is ideal for watermelons. Using a rake or shovel, form the soil in the bed into hills that are 1 foot (30 cm) high and 3 feet (91 cm) in diameter. Space the hills 6.5 feet (2 m) apart.
    
2.  
   Sow the seeds. Plant nine watermelon seeds in each hill. Plant the seeds in groups of three. Space the seed groups out evenly around the hill so the clusters are about a foot (30 cm) apart. To sow the seeds, simply press each seed ½ inch (1.3 cm) deep into the soil.
3. 
   
   Add a layer of mulch. Mulch is good for watermelons because it keeps the soil warm, retains moisture, and keeps weeds and pests out. Once the seeds have been planted, cover the hills with leaves, straw, or black plastic mulch,

   • If you live in a cooler climate, black plastic mulch will help keep the soil warmest as the watermelon seeds grow. 
4. 
   
   Water each week while the plants grow. While watermelon plants are in the initial growing stages, they need plenty of water. Make sure they get 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) per week as the seeds germinate, and as the plants grow, bloom, and fruit.

   • Once the fruit has formed, you can cut back on watering. Only water the plants during dry spells when there's no rain.