Watermelons are a favorite summer fruit, but many shy away from cultivating them due to their reputation for requiring ample space. If you’re working with a small yard or renting a place with just a patio or balcony, growing your own watermelon might seem out of reach. However, this isn’t necessarily true. You can bypass traditional gardening methods and conserve space by cultivating your watermelons in containers.
Typically, watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) demand a lot of space because their lengthy vines can extend several feet from where they’re planted. By utilizing a large planter and guiding your watermelon to grow vertically on a trellis, you can enjoy fresh fruit on your balcony or patio without the need for a sprawling garden or yard! For this no-dig watermelon project, gather large planters or food-safe buckets with drainage holes at the bottom. Avoid placing more than one plant in each 5-gallon container. Additionally, a trellis is essential for your watermelon vine to climb. Though many varieties of watermelon exist, select a short-vining type that yields relatively small melons, such as ‘Sugar Baby’ or ‘Sweet Petite’.
Growing Your No-Garden Watermelons
Consider starting your melon seeds indoors, then transplant them into their containers once the weather is warm and frost risk has diminished. Starting your seeds indoors is crucial, especially if you aim to grow watermelon in a cooler climate. Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 2 through 11, watermelons thrive in fertile, well-draining soil. Therefore, it’s vital to use high-quality potting soil mixed with gypsum for your watermelon containers. As your plants develop, additional fertilizer will be necessary.
Ensure your container garden is located in a full-sun area and water it consistently to maintain soil moisture. As the vine begins to extend, have a trellis ready for it to climb. Whether you opt to purchase or create your own trellis, it must be robust enough to support your watermelon plant. When the melons start forming, they will require extra support to prevent them from falling off the vine. You can use mesh produce bags or employ a popular technique of supporting melons vertically using pantyhose. Attach your bags or stockings to the trellis, utilizing them as hammocks to cradle the heavy melons until they are ripe and ready for harvest.
