How to plant watermelon with recommended spacing and fertilize?

Planting watermelon:

1. Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for planting watermelon. Watermelon plants require at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.

2. Prepare the soil by tilling it to a depth of 6-8 inches and adding compost or aged manure to improve soil fertility and drainage.

3. Plant watermelon seeds or seedlings in hills or rows. If planting in hills, space them 6-8 feet apart. If planting in rows, space the rows 6-8 feet apart and plant the seeds or seedlings 2-3 feet apart within the rows.

4. Water the plants regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Watermelon plants require about 1-2 inches of water per week.

Fertilizing watermelon:

1. Before planting, mix a balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) into the soil according to the package instructions.

2. Once the watermelon plants have established themselves, side-dress them with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer (such as 21-0-0) every 3-4 weeks throughout the growing season. Apply the fertilizer according to the package instructions.

3. Avoid over-fertilizing watermelon plants, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of fruit production.

4. Mulch around the base of the watermelon plants with straw or compost to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and provide additional nutrients as the mulch breaks down.

By following these planting and fertilizing guidelines, you can help ensure a successful watermelon harvest with optimal spacing and nutrition for your plants.