Title: Watermelon - Vegetable Directory - Watch Your Garden Grow - University of Illinois Extension
Headings: Watermelon
Watermelon
Recommended Varieties
Early (70 to 75 days to harvest)
Main Season (80 to 85 days)
Seedless (all are triploid hybrids, 80 to 85 days)
When to Plant
Spacing & Depth
Care
Harvesting
Common Problems
Questions & Answers
Q. My watermelons are not very sweet or flavorful. Is the low sugar content caused by the watermelons crossing with other vine crops in the garden?
Q. What can I do to prevent my watermelons from developing poorly and rotting on the ends?
Q. What causes deep holes in the tops of my watermelons?
Selection & Storage
Nutritional Value & Health Benefits
Preparation & Serving
Home Preservation
Recipes
Watermelon Granita
Watermelon Smoothie

Content: The poor quality of your melons may result from wilting vines, high rainfall, cool weather or a short growing season in extreme northern areas. Q. What can I do to prevent my watermelons from developing poorly and rotting on the ends? A. This condition is probably caused by an extended period of extremely dry weather when the melons were maturing. It may be aggravated by continued deep hoeing or close cultivation. Mulching the plants with black plastic film helps to reduce this problem. Q. What causes deep holes in the tops of my watermelons? A. The holes were probably made by pheasants or other wildlife searching for water during dry weather. Selection & Storage
Watermelon is truly one of summertime's sweetest treats. It is fun to eat, and good for you. Watermelon seeds were brought to this country by African slaves.