Watermelons are a delicious summer fruit that’s enjoyed all over the world. If you’ve grown some in your garden, you may wonder how often to water your watermelon.
Contents showHow Often to Water Watermelon?
Watermelons are one of the thirstiest plants in the garden, requiring about 1 inch of water per week during the growing season.
Water your watermelon plants at least twice a week during the summer. You should water them more often if rainfall is light or if you notice that their leaves are starting to wilt. Watermelons have large root systems, so it’s important to supply them with plenty of moisture until they mature.
How To Tell It’s Time to Water Your Watermelon
Watermelons are big plants that will need a lot of water. This fruit contains 95% water so it makes sense they will need plenty of water to grow.
If you’re unsure when to water your watermelon, below are some of the signs to look for:
If the leaves droop or turn brown and yellow, this can indicate a lack of water in the soil or in the plant itself.
If the leaves curl up or get crinkly around their edges, this can be caused by too much salt in the soil or poor drainage issues.
If there are holes near the bottom of the fruit where growth was taking place, it could indicate a lack of calcium in the soil as well as an issue with pests eating away at your fruits’ core (such as aphids).
How to Water Your Watermelon
Here are some methods for watering your watermelon:
Soaker Hose – Using a soaker hose is one of the best ways to water your melons. You simply lay the hose down and run it around the perimeter of your garden bed or row of plants.
The hose will release a continuous stream of water that penetrates deep into the soil where it is needed most. This method is easy and efficient, making it perfect for large gardens or large plantings with many melons.
Sprayers – Sprayers are another great way to get the water deep into the soil where it is needed most. There are many different types of sprayers on the market today ranging from hand-held sprayers which deliver small amounts of water at a time, up to larger sprinkler systems that cover more area at one time.
Some sprayers also come equipped with fertilizer injectors that deliver fertilizer directly into the root zone along with the water supply. This makes them a great choice for organic gardening.
How Much Water Do Watermelons Need?
Watermelons require at least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of water per week. However, if your soil is sandy or clay-like, you’ll need more frequent watering because sandy soil drains more quickly than clay does. If your soil drains too quickly for your taste, consider adding organic matter such as compost or manure to improve its structure and nutrient content.
Signs of Excessive Watermelon Watering
Watermelon plants are very tolerant of drought but they can’t stand wet feet. The roots are shallow and don’t like to be submerged in water. If the soil is too moist at planting time, it will be difficult to get the plant established and watered properly afterward.
Excessive watering causes root rot which results in yellowing leaves and stunted growth. You may also see dead patches on the lower part of the stem, which indicates a serious problem with root rot.
Signs of excessive watering include:
- Stems that are brown near the bottom
- Stems that turn gray and wilt during hot weather
- Leaves have brown spots on them
Final Thoughts
Watermelons should be watered thoroughly but infrequently — once every few days during dry spells will suffice. Watermelons need plenty of water while they’re growing but very little when they’re ripening on the vine.
