How to Prepare Watermelon Seeds

Watermelon is the favorite fruit for summer days.

Watermelon is a favorite fruit of the summer months and it is so easy to grow. In the northern United States, the growing season is short, so you will need to check the watermelon packages to find one suited for your growing area. Watermelons need warm weather with the soil temperature no lower than 60 degrees. Actually, the warmer the soil temperature, the faster the seeds germinate. In order extend the growing time, you will need to prepare the watermelon seeds and fool them into thinking that they have been planted longer. This added step doesn't take a lot of time and it is easy to do.

Things You'll Need

• Shallow bowl or container
• Watermelon seeds
• Water or milk

Instructions

1. Find a shallow bowl or container. The size of the bowl depends on how many watermelon seeds you will be planting.

2. Place the watermelon seeds into the bowl. When choosing the variety to plant, find ones that will grow within your growing season.

3. Draw some warm water from the tap. You can also use milk. All you need to do is warm some milk in a saucepan. Make sure neither the water or milk are too hot or it will kill the seeds. The temperature should be reminiscent of a bottle of baby's milk.

4. Pour the warm water or milk over the watermelon seeds in the bowl. Cover the watermelon seeds completely.

5. Soak the watermelon seeds for a 24 hour period. After that time, check the watermelon seeds to see if they have swelled and become lighter in color. If you notice this change that means that they have absorbed the water or milk. If they have not changed, allow them to soak longer.

6. Plant the soaked watermelon seeds in your prepared garden bed. Water thoroughly but gently so you don't wash the seeds away, or deeper than they need to be. After the seeds germinate, keep the soil moist.

Tips & Warnings

• The watermelon seed coat occasionally carries a virus. By soaking watermelon seeds in warm milk it will help to deactivate that virus.

• Do not soak Triploid watermelon seeds. These seeds have an airspace inside. When this area absorbs water it could cause the seeds to rot.

References

• PBS.org: Grow: Primers & Projects
• Semena.org; Triploid Hybrid Watermelon
• The Bear Foot Shaman: Planting Instructions