Watermelons?

by Jackie

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Answered

How do I get the best soil for growing watermelons in California and how do I test the soil?

2 answers

Charles Totton on Oct 19, 2018

For watermelons a soil that retains water a glaze type soil or packed soil

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- Jackie on Oct 21, 2018
  
  Thank you. The soil I use for watermelon is very "thirsty" and drains quickly. My front yard has a much more "clay" type soil and much better results, there. However, once mature they were stolen.
  
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2dogal on Oct 19, 2018

Go to your County Agricultural Extension office. You can get the best test there for around $10.00. Any you get in a big box home improvement store is not as complete. Kudos to you for wanting a soil test!
After you get the test done, it will tell you what nutrients your soil is lacking. Talk with the people at the Extension office about growing Watermelons - they really have a lot of knowledge about your local area.
BTW: ask them for your growing zone as California has many. That's one way to know what will/won't grow well in your area.

Helpful Reply
- Jackie on Oct 21, 2018
  
  This is great advice. I will lookup the CAE office and followup on the advice. The soil in my front yard is much different (clay-like) than the soil in my back yard ("thirsty" and drains quickly), which is where I get terrible results. However, in the front yard I've had success with melons...but, after maturing and ready to harvest they were stolen. I used to think it was the neighbors. But, recently a gardener was caught stealing fruit from a neighbors yard.
  
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