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Akron,N.Y.

I got the tip sheet from James White and thought it very helpful for a new guy trying his hand at growing big watermelons.He mentioned that he got his best melons when they set fruit by June 20th.I'm in zone 6,would this hold true for me?if so,when should I start my plants?
Thanks for the help
Gene

11/13/2009 9:59:52 PM

formerly RGG

The idea is to have as large of a plant as possible when you let it set it's "keeper" melon.A small plant with few leaves cannot get a melon off to a rapid start in growth. Many of us start indoors a fews weeks before the last freeze or frost. It takes grow lights to do this as watremelons are light loving plants and cannot get enough sunlight through a window to achieve proper growth and health.Most of us start our melons as early as we can to have plants of good size to set outdoors when the time is right. A word of caution though; watermelons are difficult to transplant and if your plants are too large it may be difficult to set them out without disturbing them to a point of setting them back or possibly killing them. Growers frequently have plants that are already blooming by the time they set them in the garden.Giant watermelon growing is more of an art than a science and you will have to experiment and find out what works best for you and your area of the country.

11/14/2009 8:18:52 AM

formerly RGG

The idea of letting a melon set it "keeper" melon fairly early is because a Carolina Cross melon will grow for up to 90 days and if you wait too long the days will be growing short, the sun is less intense and cooler weather will be arriving before the melon has completely matured. These melons need intense and long hours of sunlight and very warm temperaures to grow as big as possible.

11/14/2009 8:23:38 AM

Bowdon, GA

James probably has the best starting date for your zone. Down here I like to set fruit on a younger plant between June 20th and July 4th. We have plenty enough season were in the north you would need to be done earlier. Here stuff grows really fast but burns up quick. An old plant will get fried in August down here. I think in each climate it just takes a little experimenting to get the right date. looks like Tennessee has the best balance. I may need to pack up and head north a little.

11/14/2009 7:01:39 PM