5-Step Guide To Grow Juicy Watermelon In Your Home Garden

Watermelon, a very popular fruit around the world, is known for being sweet and juicy. Apart from being delicious it also has various benefits such as being good for hydration, improving heart health and even skin health. 

So, if you’re interested in growing one at home and don’t know how to grow a watermelon, then here is a step-by-step guide for you. In this guide we will cover everything from how to grow, when to grow and what are some of the benefits of including watermelon in your diet

How to grow Watermelon?

1. Place: Finding a place where it can get 6-8 hours of direct sunlight is important for it to grow watermelon healthy.
2. Soil: To grow Watermelon you need fertile soil, so make sure before sowing seed, you add manure and compost to the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches and mix well.
3. Sow the seeds: Make holes 1-2 inches deep, spaced 2-3 feet apart for bush varieties and 3-4 feet apart for vining varieties, and sow 3-4 seeds per hole.
4. Support for Vine Varieties: If you have sown the seed of a vine variety, add a support system like a bamboo pole so that the fruit does not touch the soil.
5. Watering– Water deeply every few days during the flowering and fruiting stages. Avoid overwatering as it can cause root rot.

When to harvest watermelon? 

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Depending on the variety, watermelons mature within 60-90 days of planting.  Watermelons are ready to harvest when the underside turns creamy yellow and a gentle thump on the fruit sounds hollow. The tendril connected to the stem should also start to brown and dry.

What are some health benefits of Watermelon?

1. Anti-cancer– Lycopene and cucurbitacin E are two plant compounds found in watermelon and are known for anti-cancer properties.
2. Improves Heart Health– Some studies also show that lycopene can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improving heart health.
3. Fights inflammation and oxidative stress: Watermelon has antioxidants, lycopene, and vitamin C, which help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
4. Protects joints: It contains a natural pigment called beta-cryptoxanthin, which helps protect joints.
5. Muscle Soreness: Watermelon also helps reduce muscle soreness, thanks to the amino acid, Citrulline.
6. Good for Skin: Vitamin A and Vitamin C found in watermelon are very good for helping with skin health.