While watermelons and squash are common vegetables, they require more attention than the average fruit or veggie because of their hard outer shell. If you decide to grow this delicacy in your garden, keep these guidelines in mind!
Can Squash And Watermelon Be Planted Together
Yes. Squash and watermelon can be grown together, but they need to be planted in different places. One of the things you should note when planting squash and watermelon is that the vines will cross over at some point in their growth. If you plant them close to each other, this will happen sooner rather than later. When this happens, the squash vine will strangle out the watermelon vine by pressing down on it with its leaves, which will diminish its fruit production – but don’t do that!
You’ll want to either wrap a chicken wire or wire mesh around where these two plants are being grown or space out your beds by at least 12-18 inches so they can have room.
You can grow the plants in the same bed, but it might be wiser to grow them in different ones. They make good companions because they do not seem to steal each other’s nutrients, nor do they tend to attract pests.
Watermelon and Squash Care Requirements
Care requirements for the two are similar, except squash needs more water and less sun than watermelon.
Watermelon plants prefer to be planted in full sun, but they can also be grown under shade trees, as long as they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Squash plants need good access to both darkness and light. They should be planted at least 12 inches from other plants or structures, not including their vine-like fruit that can spread out to cover a large area. Squash should also be planted in raised beds with lots of organic material and composted manure.
Both squash and watermelon are easy to grow and do well in most climates. Squash will produce fruit within 2 or 3 months after planting in the spring or summer, while watermelons may take up to 2 months. A trellis or other structure should support watermelon plants before harvesting your first melon.
The amount of space that the plants needs depends on the variety you grow. Some watermelons grow larger than others, so do some squash. Also, be aware that watermelons need more space than squash to develop! Watermelon plants should be spaced at least 8 feet apart, while squash needs only 4 feet. Both will take up a lot of room as they grow, so be prepared to weed carefully!
Squash and watermelons need full sun and warm soil above 75 degrees F to set fruit. Watermelon is especially sensitive to cold weather, so keep an eye out for late frosts! Keep the soil moist but not soggy; watermelons do not like wet roots. Also, keep them well-watered through their entire growing season. Watermelon seeds usually take 5 to 7 days to sprout, while squash is slower to germinate.
Common Pests and Diseases that Affect the Squash and Watermelon
Here are some of the most common pests and diseases that affect squash and watermelon:
Fungal leaf spot: Caused by fungus Alternaria solani, this disease starts from a small yellow spot on the leaf. The spots will enlarge, turn brown, become rough with a velvety texture, then spread to other plant areas. The disease is not harmful to the plant and leaves normal rounded leaf patterns. However, it is considered a severe disease of edible fruits.
Verticillium wilt: The fungus first appears as small spots that may be white or yellow. The spots often resemble powdery mildew and later turn reddish-brown as the fungus expands. Eventually, small brown patches appear on leaves and stems and will usually be found at the base of the plant. A soil-borne fungus (Verticillium dahliae) causes the verticillium wilt.
Cankerworm: These tiny 1/16 inches (1.6mm) caterpillars are a severe problem for watermelon plants but can be challenging to control because they may be found in any stage of development. The caterpillars feed on leaf tissue, resulting in large holes and scalelike holes within the leaves.
Seedcorn maggot: This small white maggot feeds on seed corn and honeydew attached to plants, causing the fruit to rot inside the husk. The damage is most severe when formed into moths known as seedcorn case-makers (See page 23).
Snout maggot: The snout maggot is a big problem for vegetable crops and is easily spread by handle or other contact with the fresh fruit. It attacks all stages of the vegetation life cycle from seedling to flower. It has a powerful tendency to devastate crops of field or bush beans, peas, green and snap beans, melons, cucumbers, and squash.
Rhizoctonia: This fungus creates dark brown spots on leaves and stems known as blights. The spots may be irregularly shaped or circular, with a dark brown margin. The leaf tissue between the spots may be chlorotic and wilted. Internally, the brown fungal colonies cause discoloration of the plant tissue.
Powdery mildew: Powdery mildew causes symptoms of yellowing and distorted growth on leaves. It can spread to many parts of the plant and affect every aspect of a watermelon or squash plant if it spreads fast enough, including flowers and fruit.
Differences When Planting Watermelon and Squash
Squash will often produce fruit before the watermelon does, which can cause problems. The squash vine will begin to grow and send tendrils that will climb up the watermelon vine, which can bring the fruit into close contact with the watermelon vine’s leaves, causing them to rot and ruin your harvest. The best solution is to move both vines as soon as you see this happen and do not plant them so close together next time.
Can Squash And Watermelon Be Planted Together: Final thoughts
Few plants are as beautiful in the garden as a climbing vine while providing healthy food. Watermelon and squash are two members of that group. They’re also two plants that can be grown side-by-side while benefiting each other. Both plants enjoy similar growing requirements, such as an open and sunny area with rich, loose soil. The vines of each plant help grow the other up for better sunlight exposure.
Further, when one plant needs extra support, the vine can be used to provide it with just what it needs to get over some rough patches. Therefore, you can make one big plant that takes up more space in the garden by combining plants.