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Kansas

This is my first year at trying watermelon and wanting to know how you water them. I know you lay down black plastic to kept the weeds out and lay down straw so the plastic don't burn the vine but, do you put a soaker hose all over or do you just water where the root is. Would like to know?

THANKS!!!

3/11/2012 1:45:34 PM

formerly RGG

Crash, the roots can get very long and may take up at least as much area as the vines do. As the vine grows you need to increase the area that you water. Many use drip irrigation to water. You will need something under that plastic to water the roots under it. A better idea is landscaping fabric as it will lets the soil "breathe" and will also allow rain or any other water through and also, it will serve your purpose of weed control.Please keep asking questions.

3/11/2012 7:29:28 PM

Kansas

Thanks for the info Tennessee Dreamer I have a nother question I was wanting to know where the people in last years dairys got there tarps with handles to carry there watermelons from their patch to the weigh off's I would like to have one they look pretty handy/ and what do you use to keep bugs off seven?

3/14/2012 4:25:49 PM

formerly RGG

Sevin is not good for watermelon plants. About any other type of insect control is good. Some systemics work well. I am not sure about the small tarps. I just folded up a larger tarp and applied rope handles to it. I am sure one of the other growers will let you know where to get the special melon tarp.

3/14/2012 6:01:24 PM

Linden, Mi.,

P and P seeds, sell them (small tarps)

3/14/2012 6:23:49 PM

formerly RGG

I just viewed the one from P & P Seeds: $32.95. plus shipping.

3/14/2012 8:45:25 PM

Kansas

What and where is p & p seeds is it a place or online

3/14/2012 8:49:33 PM

Manchester, TN

pandpseed.com

3/15/2012 8:28:32 AM

Muddy Waters

P&P Seed Co.

3/15/2012 9:51:35 AM

sevierville, Tn

the handles are nice, but i always just used a regular blue tarp from lowes....as long as you have enough people and a decent grip, there shouldn't be any problems.
NOTE...from say 240 and up, you need either 4 people or 1 very strong one if only 3 people lifting !

3/15/2012 2:37:43 PM

sevierville, Tn

p.s. depend on the distance too, a long walk out of the patch is tough with the big ones !

3/15/2012 2:39:11 PM

Muddy Waters

I put them on a Dolly then truckem! wrapped & strapped & ready to scrap!

3/15/2012 7:11:54 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

A nice big dolly with 'all terrain wheels' can really save a keyster or six, otherwise you might need 3-4 to hoist it to plywood put down to roll the dolly on.

3/16/2012 8:24:32 AM

Kansas

Thanks, for all the info from everyone. How big do u think a first year rookie can grow one, is over 100 lbs. a stretch.

3/17/2012 4:43:28 PM

Watervalley Ms

No it's not a stretch, with good advice being followed and good soil can go over 200 lbs first year.

3/17/2012 8:29:23 PM

Piqua, Ohio

not at all, my first year I grew 101 and 112 with seeds I bought from wal-mart.

3/17/2012 8:32:08 PM