Watermelon 2020

This is a new/old post. Main goal here is for reference and a practical guide for what to do and probably not do. As in all things, life is full of lessons and this is what growing crimson sweet watermelon during the pandemic was like for me in Texas.

I started about Mid April of 2020 (probably later than I should have). I got a large plastic pot that had been left by the previous homeowners. Something like this –Recycled Plastic Planter. The version I have needed drainage holes in the bottom of the planter. So I used my DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill / Driver Kit, Compact, 1/2-Inch (DCD771C2) to make several holes in the bottom of the planter.

After setting the planter up I planted just 2 seeds from a package of Burpee Crimson Sweet Watermelon Fruit Seed to my surprise, especially due to the age of the package, both seeds showed little sprouts a week later.

squirrel digging — Squirrel digging around plants..little buggers

One thing to note, I had to put up a small fence barrier around the potter, to protect the seedlings. Those darn squirrels made it there business to come down the moment any fresh soil was laid to dig around…I was lucky to have some YARDGARD 308302B Fence, 48″ x 50’/4″ x 2″, Color – Galvanized laying around.

I unrolled the fencing material and wrapped it around the planter, once I had enough I use my tin snips and cut it from the main fencing material and left a little extra to wrap it around itself. Once I had it set up I used my needle nose plyers and then cut the edges to bend back over itself creating a nice little lock.

Finally after getting all this off the ground and having seedlings growing I was so excited to see what the rest of the growing season had to bring!