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Garner, NC

I've began working on next years patch, with manure and compost and such. I've had a old time watermelon grower tell me that you need to rotate watermelon crops and never plant in the same spot. Now my questions is, is this true or are there some additives-nutrients-or what evers that will allow you to grow in the same patch year after year. I'm sure if you have a soil bourne diease you wouldn't want to replant there, but how do you tell? With the cost and effort that goes in building a new site, I would hate to think I need to move it ever year, but I want to hear what ya'll have to say. Thanks Todd

10/21/2009 11:21:44 AM

formerly RGG

Hi Todd,

I think soil bourne diseases are just a part of growing that cannot be avoided. I grow in a small back yard and have no choice other than to skip growing every other year.And I am unwilling to do that.What I do is to move my hills around so that the majority of the roots are growing in fresh soil every year.This has worked well for me so far.

Dennis

10/21/2009 7:23:31 PM

Bowdon, GA

Moving the patch would probably help with diesease, but most common diesaeses can be taken care of by spraying. I have always herd from local farmers that watermelons grow best on new ground. But it is not likely that they would spend as much time improving their patches as we do. Nutrients taken up by the plant should be replaced each year though. I think that by spraying and improving soil each year will work better and save alot of time and money. Although I have considered having two patches so I can let one rest every few years.

10/22/2009 10:20:29 PM