How to grow watermelon in a raised bed

Watermelon is the taste of an Aussie summer, and worth the space if you've got a long hot season. Let the vines sprawl out from a raised bed and you'll be rewarded with big, sweet fruit.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun, 6+ hours, loves heat
• Spacing: one plant per 1–2 m; vines roam far
• Tub depth: our 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 12–18 weeks

When to plant: Watermelons are frost-tender and need a long, hot season — plant from late spring into summer once the soil is warm. They need room, so plan for the sprawl. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing it in a raised bed: Plant into rich, well-fed mix and let the vines trail well out of the bed into full sun. Hand-pollinate in the morning if fruit set is poor, and rest fruit on a tile or straw.

Watering and feeding: Water deeply and consistently while the vines and fruit grow, then reduce watering as they ripen to sweeten the flesh. Water the soil, not the leaves.

Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids, the 28-spotted ladybird and fruit fly. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

Common diseases: the main ones are powdery mildew, downy mildew and mosaic virus. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

Companion plants: Corn is a classic companion; give watermelon plenty of room to ramble. See our companion planting guide.

Harvest and storage: Signs it's ripe: the curly tendril nearest the fruit dries and browns, the underside patch turns creamy yellow, and it sounds hollow when tapped. Pick and chill.

More growing guides: rockmelon, cucumbers and pumpkins.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 us, via Wikimedia Commons.