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No flowers on my watermelon #877716

Asked July 17, 2024, 9:16 PM EDT

Hi, Ive been gardening for a while but this year is the first year I got my watermelon seedlings to take really well. This is a new garden from the last time I tried, but Ive found that this place has pretty bad soil so I added dark mulch dirt from the compost site when I planted them, and planted them direct to ground mid May. They are looking very happy and vibrant green but are only about 2 feet long and I havent seen any flowers yet, like my squash and pumpkins and other vines ( the cukes are outta control this year but wierd shapes) of course it's been pretty rainy, and cloudy. So should I supplement the top soil w something (coffee grounds?) Or just be more patient?

Wabasha County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Kristina,

Well, it may be the summer has not had high enough temperatures, watermelon like it hot. It also could be that it just isn't mature enough  yet (n also weather related). If they are in a separate area from your other vines, perhaps the soil is too high in nitrogen and that is causing too much leafy growth .

My bet is that we just haven't had enough hot days. It might not be a great year for watermelon. However, if and when it forms melons, you can make a tent over the plant to keep it warmer into the fall so you can continue to ripen them. I guess this is a wait and see game.

https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-melons-home-garden


Sally Granath

St. Louis County MG

An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 20, 2024, 8:05 AM EDT

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