I’m not a fan of Burpee anything…. that’s for sure. They did do a decent job providing basic cultivation requirements for watermelon though,
How to Grow Watermelon - Gardening Tips and Advice, Seeds and Plants at Burpee.com. They said this about watermelon and it’s on the money, “
Watermelon is a space hog; vines can reach 20 feet in length. So plant where there is plenty of open ground. Amend soil with organic matter such as compost or composted cow manure.” I grew a few watermelon plants last year and they really do require a lot of real estate. I started some watermelon from seed this year and they’re the only plants I haven’t found just the right spot where they can sprawl like they did last year so they’re still in the greenhouse. I really should get them in the ground. I’m just deliberating over exactly where since they take up so much space and pretty soon… I’ll end up sticking mine in the front yard in this pit we’ve got that we’ve been filling with invasives removed from the wetlands if a place to plant em doesn’t slap me in the face soon.
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Something else mentioned that caught my eye was this, “Watermelon plants have moderately deep roots and watering is seldom necessary unless the weather turns dry for a prolonged period. When vines begin to ramble, side dress plants with half a cup of balanced fertilizer (5-10-5). A third application of fertilizer should be made when melons are set. Withhold water as melons start to mature to intensify sweetness.” I understand the water requirements and I’ve got my black gold compost to satiate the fertilizer requirements but…. I’ve never heard the term side dressing before so if someone could give me the low down on that…. it’d be great. Another thing….. does withholding water REALLY intensify the sweetness? Sounds logical but…. is the taste difference noticeable between plants that continued to receive water and those that didn’t? Just curious if anyone’s done any side by side comparisons.