2011 - July 4th
Registrations open.
2011 - September 25th
Registrations close 5pm (EST).
2011 - October
Seeds posted out early this month.
2012 - February 24th
Final measurements must be logged into the
secure zone of the website.
2012 - February and March
Finalists will be verified by a Landcare
or Yates representative.
2012 - March 5th
Winners will be announced.
Growing watermelons
A cool, juicy slice of watermelon is perfect for a hot day! And, because watermelons are full of vitamins and fibre, they’re good for you, too.
- Plant watermelon seeds in spring – that way they can make the most of the warm weather.
- Choose a sunny spot in the garden. Dig in some compost or old manure (you can buy this in bags) and some Yates Blood & Bone or Dynamic Lifter.
- Build the soil up into mounds (about 1 metre apart) that are about as high as your knee.
- Water the top of the mounds well and then wait while the water drains away.
- While the soil is still moist, sow three or four seeds in the top of the each mound. Water gently again.
- After the seedlings come up (6- 10 days later), decide which are the two strongest and pull out any others. This will give those two plants enough room to grow.
Notes
- Feed the plants every two weeks with Yates Thrive Soluble Plant Food.
- Watermelons have girl and boy flowers but only the girl flowers (which have a miniature melon at the base) will grow into melons. In order to do this, the bees in the garden have to fertilise them with some pollen from the boy flowers. If you want to, you can help by using a paintbrush to remove pollen from a male flower (the ones without the mini melon at the base) and brushing it into the middle of a girl flower.
- Keep the plant well watered. It’s best to water in the morning just where the plant comes out of the soil, keeping the leaves as dry a possible. Once a melon is full sized you can give it less water – it will become sweeter.
- Pick your melon when its underside turns a yellow or cream colour.
Remember to always
- Wash your hands well after gardening.
- Wear shoes to protect your feet.
- Wear a hat and sunscreen.
Yates Watermelon 'Candy Red'
A sweet, deep pink, fleshy variety. Good sized fruit with light green skin.
Position
Full sun.
Sow
For early sowing, raise in pots of Yates Seed Raising Mix. Transplant after 3-4 weeks. For sowing direct, plant 3-4 seeds in mounds, later thinning to the two strongest plants.
Care
Plant in sunny, well-drained position. Requires plenty of growing space. Add Thrive Granular All Purpose Fertiliser for best results. Water regularly. Harvest when underside in contact with soil turns yellow and the fruit gives a dull, hollow sound when tapped. Protect from snails with Yates Blitzem.
For more information go to: http://www.yates.com.au/products/seeds/vegetables/watermelon-candy-red/More tips - click to download
Watermelon Fact Sheet (638 KB)
Create a compost (121 KB)
Safety in the garden (116 KB)
Saving water in the garden (121 KB)