How To Grow Black Watermelon

You can grow black watermelon by choosing a variety like Moon and Stars, Black Diamond, or Sugar Baby and giving it full sun, rich soil, and plenty of space to vine.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to grow black watermelon, the good news is that it’s not much different from growing regular watermelon.
 
The main difference is simply the variety you pick and a few small adjustments to help those dark rinds develop deep color and sweet flesh.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to grow black watermelon from seed to harvest, including the best varieties, planting tips, watering needs, and common mistakes to avoid.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

Why Grow Black Watermelon?

Black watermelon isn’t a different species from the watermelon you already know.
 
It’s simply a watermelon variety with a very dark green rind that looks almost black when fully ripe.
 
So when you grow black watermelon, you’re growing the same fruit with a striking appearance and often a super sweet, crisp interior.
 
Here’s why so many gardeners love to grow black watermelon:
 

1. Stunning Dark Rind

The deep, near-black skin of these watermelons makes them a showstopper in the garden and on the plate.
 
If you grow black watermelon, you get a fruit that looks exotic but grows just like any other melon.
 

2. Sweet, Juicy Flesh

Most black watermelon varieties are known for their high sugar content.
 
When you grow black watermelon properly, the flesh turns out deep red, crisp, and incredibly sweet.
 

3. Great for Beginners

Learning how to grow black watermelon is actually beginner-friendly.
 
These plants are hardy, fast-growing, and forgiving as long as they get sun and water.
 

How to Grow Black Watermelon Step by Step

Now let’s get into the actual process of how to grow black watermelon from start to finish.
 

1. Pick the Right Variety

The first step to grow black watermelon is choosing a variety that suits your climate and space.
 
Popular options include Black Diamond, Moon and Stars, Sugar Baby, and Charleston Gray.
 

2. Start Seeds Indoors or Direct Sow

If you want to grow black watermelon, you can start seeds indoors about three weeks before the last frost.
 
Otherwise, sow seeds directly once the soil has warmed to at least 70°F.
 

3. Choose a Sunny Spot

To grow black watermelon successfully, pick a spot that gets six to eight hours of full sun daily.
 
Watermelons love heat, and the more sun they get, the sweeter the fruit.
 

4. Prepare Rich, Well-Draining Soil

When you grow black watermelon, amend the soil with compost and aged manure before planting.
 
Good drainage matters because soggy roots will stunt the plant fast.
 

5. Give Them Plenty of Space

If you plan to grow black watermelon, remember that vines can spread eight to ten feet.
 
Space plants about three feet apart in rows six feet apart so they have room to sprawl.
 

Caring for Black Watermelon as It Grows

Once your plants are in the ground, here’s how to keep them thriving.
 

1. Water Deeply but Not Too Often

To grow black watermelon that tastes sweet, water deeply once or twice a week.
 
Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
 

2. Feed With Balanced Fertilizer

When you grow black watermelon, feed the plants every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
 
Avoid too much nitrogen late in the season, or you’ll get leaves instead of fruit.
 

3. Watch for Pests and Diseases

If you grow black watermelon, keep an eye out for aphids, cucumber beetles, and powdery mildew.
 
Row covers early on and good airflow help keep problems away.
 

4. Pollinate if Needed

When you grow black watermelon, bees usually handle pollination.
 
But if you notice few bees, you can hand-pollinate by transferring pollen from male to female flowers.
 

When and How to Harvest Black Watermelon

Knowing when to harvest is the final piece of how to grow black watermelon.
 
Your watermelon is ready when the tendril nearest the fruit turns brown and dry.
 
The spot where the melon sits on the ground should be creamy yellow, not white or green.
 
And when you thump it, you should hear a deep, hollow sound.
 
Cut the stem with a sharp knife rather than pulling, and leave a couple inches of stem attached.
 

So, How Do You Grow Black Watermelon?

You grow black watermelon by picking a dark-rind variety and giving it full sun, rich soil, steady water, and lots of space.
 
It’s really the same process as growing any watermelon, just with a variety that rewards you with a stunning near-black rind and sweet, juicy flesh.
 
Follow these steps on how to grow black watermelon, and you’ll be harvesting your own dark beauties before you know it.