Hey Frenns! Let me get straight to the good stuff—I finally grew my first BIG watermelon! 🎉
This is a huge win for me, and I’m beyond excited to share it with you. Growing watermelons, especially in my region, isn’t easy. But after years of trial and error, this season I finally figured out what works.

Growing watermelons has been a journey, to say the least. Last summer, I only managed to grow a small one, and in previous years, I didn’t get past the vines. But this year, I tried a few new strategies, and it paid off with my largest watermelon yet! If you’re struggling to grow your own watermelons or are new to watermelon gardening, here are some practical tips to help you succeed.
My Top Tips for Growing a Large Watermelon
1. Use an Electric Tiller for Better Soil PreparationÂ
Tilling the soil by hand was a challenge in previous years, so this year, I opted for an electric tiller. Not only did it save me time, but it also made a difference in aerating the soil and breaking up clumps, which helps watermelon roots grow more effectively.
2. Add Blood Meal and Nitrogen Soil AmendmentsÂ
 Watermelons love rich soil! I added blood meal and nitrogen to the soil, which are both high-nutrient soil amendments. Instead of my usual generic fertilizer, I applied blood meal and nitrogen every other week, and the plants responded really well.
3. Consistent Weeding (A Game-Changer!)Â
 Weeding isn’t my favorite gardening task, but it’s essential if you want healthy plants. This year, I hired someone to help with the weeding each week, and that extra help allowed my soil to focus on growing fruits and vegetables instead of competing with weeds. It made a huge difference!

4. Water, Water, and More WaterÂ
Watermelons thrive on water, and this summer’s consistent rain helped immensely. But I didn’t rely on rain alone—I watered the garden frequently, especially in the areas where the watermelon vines were growing. I’ve heard that watermelons love moisture, so I made sure to water deeply every other day (skipping a day if it had just rained).
5. Use Both Seeds and Starters Â
 I typically choose either seeds or starters, but with watermelons, I tried both to see which would thrive. Whether my watermelon grew from seeds or a starter, I’m thrilled with the result. So if you’re new to watermelon gardening, try both and see what works best for you!
6. Prune the Smaller Watermelons for Bigger Growth Â
It can be hard to cut off the small ones, but focusing energy on the larger watermelons helps them grow bigger. By cutting off the smaller “suckers,” I redirected the plant’s resources to my main watermelon, which grew to an impressive 11 pounds!
What’s Next for My Watermelon Garden?
Next season, I’m going to try my hand at a larger watermelon variety and see if I can grow an even bigger one. But for now, I’m celebrating this success—and a great gardening season filled with tomatoes, okra, greens, eggplant, and more!

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