giant watermelon – Page 2 – Lake Mary Gardens

The Container Garden Begins

General gardening, Spring Flowers, Vegetable gardening, watermelon

The pansies are still going strong, and I am getting the watermelon planted with great anticipation. This year, we are going to plant giant watermelons that can weigh as much as a small child or maybe two or three of them, in addition to the smaller varieties that fit perfectly in the refrigerator for convenient snacking. I have got all the canna lilies planted out, their lush foliage adding a tropical flair to the flower beds. I also have new tomatoes and dill to plant out, which will provide fresh ingredients for our summer salads. It is getting time to clear out the winter crops, making way for the new growth that summer brings.

The greenhouse is now a container garden

Container Grown Carolina Cross Watermelon Red Moss Roses (Portulaca)

watermelon

This year I was blessed to be able to grow a 30 gallon container of Carolina Cross watermelon. I highly recommend this variety if you are planning a large family gathering in the future. I started by filling my large containers more than half full of rotted down stump grindings. Then I used a container mix of 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 Black Kow, and 1/3 garden soil product. I also added a few big handfuls of perlite and organic fertilizer. I added a top dressing of fertilizer around the drip line of the plants at 8 weeks along with weekly liquid plant food feedings. I controlled insects with organocide and soap as long as the temperatures were not over 85 degrees. I would say the Carolina Cross is disease resistant since it survived on organic remedies and grew some nice-sized watermelons in my harsh rather humid environment. I have to give it an A+ for its crisp texture and flavorful sweetness.