Question about watermelon

[Rey]

Do you keep watermelon off ground? I'm a first time grower and for now I use 3 chopsticks to distribute the weight on each so at least it is not touching the ground.. I remember this back in elementary during boy scout days

 

[Chuck]

View attachment 24442 Do you keep watermelon off ground? I'm a first time grower and for now I use 3 chopsticks to distribute the weight on each so at least it is not touching the ground.. I remember this back in elementary during boy scout days

It is best to keep the melon from touching the soil if the soil stays damp. A piece of something that doesn't absorb water like a board or a license plate or even a couple of bricks works great. In sandy soil which has fast drainage nothing is needed. The object being to keep dampness from damaging the bottom of the melon.

 

[Rey]

Thanks Chuck, I was afraid to use something that heats up under a full day sun and worried about heat radiating on the fruit.. I was thinking using like a wicker basket or similar DYI support.

 

[Chuck]

Thanks Chuck, I was afraid to use something that heats up under a full day sun and worried about heat radiating on the fruit.. I was thinking using like a wicker basket or similar DYI support.

Watermelons are grown commercially in very sandy really hot soil. Heat isn't the problem, moisture is.