What Fertilizer & Mulch Is Best for Growing Watermelons?
A juicy slice of watermelon is a sweet reward on a hot summer day. Watermelons are a warm-weather crop that may gardeners look forward to harvesting. The success of your watermelon crop is dependent on many factors. Choosing the best type of fertilizer and mulch for your watermelons will help to produce a vegetable with a good flavor. Does this Spark an idea?
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Mulch
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Although more expensive than natural mulches, such as straw, hay or chopped leaves, black plastic mulch is touted for growing watermelons, and is recommended by many university extensions, including Utah State University and Clemson University. Black plastic mulch has many benefits as a mulch for watermelon plants, including its advantage over natural mulches of being capable of absorbing the sun's warmth to warm the soil, which is essential for the growth of watermelons. It also helps to regulate soil moisture and aids in weed control, both which promote sweeter-tasting watermelon.
Using Black Plastic Mulch
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To use black plastic mulch, lay it over the area where you are planting the watermelons and secure its edges with soil. The mulch should be in continuous contact with the soil, leaving no space. Cut holes in the black plastic mulch to allow for planting seeds or transplants. Oklahoma State University suggests applying the mulch at least seven days before planting the watermelon to allow time for the soil to warm.
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Fertilizer
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The best fertilizer for watermelon plants contains nitrogen, potassium and phosphate. Nitrogen is necessary for healthy watermelon plant foliage, and potassium aids blooming. Phosphate promotes a strong root system in the watermelon plant. Fertilizer needs will be determined by the kind of soil you have. To establish your fertilizer needs, test the soil and find out which of the necessary nutrients may need to be added. Soil test kits and instructions can be obtained from your local county extension. Apply fertilizer before planting. Sidedress with nitrogen three weeks after the plants have emerged.
Slow-release Fertilizer
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A 2007 study performed by North Carolina Cooperative Extension revealed that calcium nitrate, a slow-release fertilizer, is highly effective when applied to watermelon crops. Results showed that its application generated the highest yield of watermelons per acre as well as the highest number of marketable melons. Resistant to leaching and conversion to liquid or gas form, calcium nitrate is particularly useful in crops grown in sandy soils. It was applied at a rate of 100 pounds per acre in the study.
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References
- Utah State University Extension; Watermelon in the Garden; Dan Drost and Rick Hefelbower; May 2004
- Clemson University Extension; Watermelons; Gilbert Miller; June 1999
- Oklahoma Cooperative Extension; Use of Plastic Mulch and Row Covers in Vegetable Production; Dean McCraw and James E. Motes
- Ohio State University Extension; Growing Watermelon in the Home Garden; Ted W. Gastier
- North Carolina State University Extension: 2007 Slow Release Nitrogen Fertilizer Study in Watermelon
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
