Watermelon may seem like a crop for hot southern climates,
but many varieties grow surprisingly well in Canadian gardens.
With warm soil, sunshine, and patience, gardeners can harvest
juicy melons right at home.
I didn't know I could grow watermelon in zone6 until I saw seeds germinating in my compost bin from a Christmas fruit salad. I grew it - I saved the seeds and that's what I use every year. Not sure what variety I have - but it could be 'sugar baby'. I have it growing in landscape cloth. It loves the extra warmth and moisture.
Homegrown watermelon often tastes sweeter than store-bought melons. Growing your own also allows you to experiment with smaller, faster-maturing varieties better suited to shorter growing seasons.
Watermelon grows best in rich, well-drained soil with plenty of compost. Warm soil is extremely important. Black mulch or raised beds can help increase soil temperature early in the season.
Watermelon plants need full sun for most of the day. The more sunlight they receive, the sweeter the fruit usually becomes.
Ripe watermelon often develops a creamy yellow spot where the fruit rests on the ground. The nearest tendril may also dry out and turn brown. Then it's harvest time. :)
| Variety | Days to Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Baby | 75 Days | Compact and reliable for short seasons |
| Blacktail Mountain | 70 Days | Cold-tolerant and productive |
| Crimson Sweet | 85 Days | Classic large sweet watermelon |
| Planting | Growth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plant 2-3 plants or 8-10 seeds in hills. 6-10 feet apart. Plant seeds 1 in deep. Full sun. Light, loamy soil, rich in organic matter, moist but well drained soil. ph - 5.5 - 6.5 |
Sow outdoors when temperatures is about 70-90° Sow seeds indoors 3-6 weeks before last frost day. Watermelons don't transplant well - so I direct sow. |
In short season areas, pick off blossoms after 2-4 fruits appear. Problems with critters eating my melons. I slide the little melons in plastic pots and cover the melons with straw or shredded paper and check every day to see if I've been out-smarted. ;) |
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