Watermelons can get fairly large—unless we’re chatting about individuals tiny ornamental watermelons. So, it could occur as a surprise to uncover out that not only can watermelon develop on a trellis, but it can actually be much healthier for the plant.
Nonetheless, the plant will not in a natural way expand up a trellis by by itself, so it wants some human help. But as soon as it will get going, you are going to advantage from place personal savings and some other positive aspects, which we’ll examine in this article.
How to Grow Watermelon Vertically (3 Steps)
Even although it is not the natural way, it is not tough to develop a watermelon vertically. It just takes a minor bit of extra function. Beneath we’ll detail the methods you require to get to get pleasure from a wholesome harvest of vertically grown melons.
You actually only require 3 additional items: vertical supports, delicate plant ties, and watermelon hammocks.
1. Support
The very first issue you want to do is get the support in place that you want the watermelon to develop on. Preserve in brain that it demands to be sturdy ample to keep the fat of maturing watermelons.
You can use a strong trellis, chain website link fencing, chicken coop, etc. As prolonged as it can assist the weight of the fruit and has places for the vine to climb, you are excellent to go.
2. Encourage the Climb
As the vine grows, it will not naturally climb the supports like a pea or cucumber will. You’ll have to carefully stimulate it to do so. This is the place the soft ties occur into play. You can purchase these from any backyard garden provide centre or comparable keep.
To “train” the vines, all you have to do is gently tie them into area on the help. Make certain that you really do not do this also tightly as that can get rid of that portion of the vine. Sometimes watermelon vines attempt to go across the supports alternatively of up mild perseverance is the key.
Preserve tying the vine and position it upwards about as soon as a week, and at some point, it’ll just take off upward.
3. Supporting the Melons
As the fruit develops on the vine, it won’t need quick assistance. Even so, it’s a very good concept to have every little thing completely ready. You do not need something fancy to make a watermelon hammock—a actually frequent substance that’s utilised is aged burlap sacks.
When the watermelon reaches 3–4 inches or approximately the measurement of your fist, you ought to begin supporting it. It’s as simple as stringing up a section of burlap between two edges of the assist to keep it from pulling down on the vine as it grows.
Symbiotic Relationship Between Chickens and Watermelons
One issue which is well worth pointing out is the symbiotic connection that a chicken coop and watermelon crops share. If you are a chicken proprietor, you probably know that it can be challenging to get anything to develop effectively close to the coop thanks to the nitrogen-abundant soil.
Watermelons thrive in this kind of soil, creating them a wonderful match to increase up a hen coop wire. In addition, chickens do not especially like to eat watermelon leaves and normally depart the fruit alone if they can even reach it.
So, if you do have chickens and you are asking yourself how you can make greater use of the space, try your hand at developing watermelons up the chicken coop fence.
Benefits of Growing Watermelon Vertically
There are numerous rewards for the plant when you stimulate it to grow up on a vertical area like a trellis, fence, or hen coop.
- Space savings: Watermelon can spread out a lot, but growing the plant vertically saves a ton of square footage. So vertical growth is an excellent option if you have limited garden space.
- As the vines grow and spread up the trellis, they begin creating shade. So, if there are shade-loving plants (or animals if you grow them on a chicken coop) beneath the watermelon, they will benefit from the shade.
- Reduced Disease: Being up in the air allows more ventilation for the plants and fruit. This prevents them from sitting in damp soil, making them less susceptible to mold and fungal infections.
Companion Plants to Grow Under the Watermelon
Numerous crops make excellent companion plants for watermelon. If you’re looking to attempt and repel bugs and other pests, lavender, marigolds, and alliums have great pest-resisting qualities. In addition, basil and mint are two other alternatives that you can put in modest containers around the watermelons to support maintain pests at bay.
If you are hunting to make the most of the area underneath your vertical watermelon, shallow root vegetables are great options—carrots or radishes are two possibilities.
Closing Thoughts
It is definitely a little bit of a surprise that watermelons can grow vertically—and do it properly! As long as you stay in a weather that can expand watermelons and you have the further time to stimulate the vines to climb, give vertical melon increasing a shot.
Featured Image Credit history: Deemcat, Pixabay
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