The Germination of a Watermelon

Growing Medium

• The best way to start watermelon seeds is in small seed pots or seed cells filled with peat moss. The peat moss will retain moisture but will not become soggy or waterlogged; excessive moisture can slow or completely stop germination, and seriously damage the fragile seeds. Start at least three seeds in each pellet, or at least three separate pots or areas of a seeding tray, to ensure that at least one of your seeds will germinate. If you plant multiple seeds in a single pellet, you can thin down to the healthiest plant after growth begins. Plant seeds ¾ to 1 inch deep in the peat.

Timing

• Successful germination of watermelon seeds takes three to four weeks. Therefore, start your seed trays or pots with watermelon seeds three weeks before you intend to transplant them into your garden. In most areas, watermelons should be transplanted outdoors two weeks after the final frost of the year, which generally occurs in March or April. This careful timing for germinating your seeds ensures the best chance for the seeds to germinate, as well as providing ease of transplanting. Trying to transplant watermelon plants to your garden that have already been growing indoors for five to six weeks would be a tough task, as the size of the plants would make them difficult to move without damaging them.

Care

• After you've sown your seeds, you must care for them well to encourage germination. Store the seeds in an area of your home with a temperature between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit; ideal germination temperature is between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Sunlight can help to keep the area warm, but the seeds themselves should not be placed in direct sunlight. Direct sun exposure can burn or wilt the young seedlings as they germinate and break out of the soil. Keep the peat moss moist at all times, but do not waterlog the seeds. To tell if they need watering, gently probe the peat with your fingers; if the top of the peat feels dry to the touch, water lightly until the peat feels moist all the way through again.

Seedless Watermelons

• Seedless watermelons do produce a thin seed-like shell that can be planted and germinated, but it is much more difficult to do, and you will find that these shells are much more expensive than buying regular watermelon seeds. These shells are germinated in much the same way as regular watermelons, but you should plant only one shell per pot or pellet to allow for more careful control of the growing conditions. When you transplant these outdoors, you will need to plant them right next to regular watermelons, since the seedless type do not produce the pollen needed to set fruit.