How to Make a Watermelon Bed

Watermelons take up a lot of space in the garden, so it makes sense to prepare the bed properly to ensure an abundant harvest. Watermelons require well-drained sites that receive plenty of sunlight for best growth. The plants send out long taproots that seek out moisture deep in the soil, so a bed consisting of loose soil that's rich in organic matter provides the best growing conditions. Amending the bed and supplying the proper nutrients before you plant the seeds in early summer can help your plants produce large, flavorful melons later in the season.

Soil test kit
Agricultural lime
Spade or tiller
Compost or leaf mold
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the pH of the planting site following the instructions in a soil testing kit. Watermelons tolerate a pH between 5.0 and 6.8, but produce best at pH levels between 6.0 and 6.8.
- 2
  Add agricultural lime to the soil in the amount indicated as necessary by the soil test to bring the pH into the desired range. Apply lime at least four weeks before planting. Turn the lime into the top foot of soil with a spade or tiller.
- 3
  Place a 2-inch layer of organic matter on top the soil in the bed. Use garden compost, leaf mold or composted manure.
- 4
  Spread 15 pounds of 5-10-10 fertilizer over every 500 square feet of watermelon bed. Use a slow-release fertilizer so it can release nutrients slowly to the plants over a period of two to three months.
- 5
  Till the organic matter and fertilizer into the top 8 inches of soil with the spade or tiller. Incorporate these amendments with the soil completely.

How to Care for Calamondin Orange Trees With Yellow Leaves

How to Grow Dwarf Figs

Growing Edibles