Direct Sow or Start Indoors - Watermelon

[vfem]

Last year I bought started Watermelon vines end of May. They were on clearance for $1 for a pack of 4. Good deal!

Turned out to be AWESOME. I had melons in July and August.

Now I saved those seeds and I am thinking of starting some inside now and trying that again.

Has anyone had better luck one way over another?

 

[wifezilla]

If I plant outside I will never get fruit! Nights are too cool in Colorado.

 

[Beekissed]

I direct seed like the rest of my vines. They are such vigorous growers that I would be overrun if I started them inside.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I know others are totally successful with transplanting, but I've always had better luck direct seeding melon and squash type plants. Transplanted ones sem to be stunted compared to direct seeded ones. I haven't tried it in a long time, the ones I tried were volunteers in the wrong place so they may have been disturbed more than the purposely started ones, and you have had good success transplanting them, so don't let my experience stop you. Your technique may be different from mine.

From what I saw on Mapquest, you are a bit more in the lowlands than the mountains and hills I grew up in, so you should have a great climate for growing watermelon, lots of long hot days, whether you direct seed or start them indoors to get an early start on the season. Even at higher elevations and roughly the same latitude in Tennessee we had plenty of time for watermelon. I don't know how much room you have or how many you intend to grow, but why not try it both ways and compare the results. Your direct experience is going to be a lot more valuable to you than my opinion.

Do you remember the variety of watermelon you grew? If so, you might want to check to see if they are hybrids, just so you will better know what to expect. You've been around enough that you probably already though of this, but I'll mention it anyway.

Good luck.

 

[boggybranch]

I think either way is a win/win.

 

[vfem]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to try to start the vines inside now, then when I transplant them, I will start a second set directly sewn.

I was just hoping to gather some good information here from many view points and many different locations. Something people can reference!

I also know, the result will depend on the melon type.

I did Hale's Best Cantalopes last year by transplant... they tasted terrible and for some reason would fall off the vine before they finished ripening. But that is for another thread.

 

[lesa]

I start mine early in the cold frame and haven't had a problem transplanting. They grow quite large and sturdy, fast...In zone 4, I can only direct sow melon, in my dreams!!

 

[ducks4you]

Honestly, if you buy a watermelon at the store, and throw it in the garden, in a hissy fit (Like Ducks has, only occasionally--), the seeds will sprout--I say, start them outside. Still, since I am experimenting with inside starts this year, and I saved seeds, as well, I'm starting MINE inside--WHAT HYPOCRISY!!!

 

[obsessed]

I like to start mine in the tp rolls. Not necessarily indoors but it gives them a little care and I don't have a better estimation of what and how much has germinated rather than waiting and guessing. When I direct sow I put 3+ seeds in each instance just in case a few don't germinate or I kill the seedlings. In the tp rolls/dixie cups I put one of each and I can nurse them through the initial seedling stage with better control. I am more likely to loose them to drying out in the garden than in the tp roll.

 

[vfem]

Ok, I started 6 inside, when they germinate I'm going to move them to the coldframe.

Then after I plant those out in May, I will then direct sow at least 3 more vines and see what happens.

I'm hoping to get 2 rounds of harvests... I'm planning a huge BBQ bash this summer and I want to feed at least 30-40 people off what I grow.

I'll explain my plan in another thread another day. But just so you know, its going to be a 'locally grow' BBQ.