How many watermelons per acre?
Thousands of people around the world ask this question all the time.
And this post is going to give the answer.
When I first began growing watermelon I faced the same problem.
I did not know how much watermelons to expect in an acre.
So I did some online research to find the right answer,
Unfortunately, there was too much conflicting information about the number of melons per acre.
Some info put the figure at 20,000 fruits per acre, others 10,000 and others 7,500 fruits.
“So… which is the right answer?” I wondered.
It is then that I realized to find it, “I’ll have to grow my own watermelon.”
The good news is, I did just that successfully…
…and today, I am sharing with you the results of my experiments, and the philosophy behind it.
So that you too can get huge yields from watermelon farming.
Without wasting time—I will go straight to the point and answer the question.
“In one acre, you should have 2,500 watermelon plants.
When each plant produces 3 watermelons, you should have 7,500 watermelons per acre.
And for those guys who love calculating area in hectares, 1 hectare should have 18,375 watermelons.”
“How Did I arrive at that Number of Watermelons per Acre?” You May Ask
To arrive at this watermelon plant population and the number of fruits per acre, it boils down to four things:
- Spacing between the plants,
- Spacing between the rows,
- Number of vines allowed to grow on one plant,
- And number of fruits allowed to grow per vine.
Let me explain the impact of the four items above to plant population per acre and yields.
Spacing Between Watermelon Plants. What is the Right Spacing?
The objective of spacing the plants is too give them enough room to grow, but not excess space.
Based on my experience growing watermelon, 1 meter between plants is sufficient.
Any extra space beyond 1 meter leads to the wastage of space.
“Isn’t this space too small,” you may ask.
If you let your watermelons to grow without pruning, then this spacing is small.
On the other hand, if you prune your watermelon, 1-meter spacing between watermelons is sufficient.
Meanwhile, check out this post for more details about pruning watermelon.
Spacing Within the Rows of Watermelon.
This space is important because it will allow you to perform operations such as spraying, fertilizer application, weeding, pest and disease scouting and harvesting.
I found that a row spacing of 1.5 meters was sufficient.
Number of Vines One Watermelon Plant Should Have
In Kenya, customers like to buy big watermelons.
To grow such big watermelons, you have to limit the number of vines one plant should have.
The best practice is to ensure that one watermelon plant grows only 3 vines.
Doing so will allow the plant to concentrate all its energies in those 3 vines and thus give bigger fruits.
The Right Number of Watermelon Fruits Per Vine
The number of watermelons per vine is a big concern to farmers.
To say the truth, there’s no right answer to it.
It all depends on a farmer’s targets.
If your target is to have watermelon fruits that are 12+ kilos, one vine should have only one fruit.
On the other hand, if you want many smaller sized fruits, one vine should give a maximum of two fruits.
Conclusion and summary
I acre should give you 7,500 fruits.
What are your thoughts on this topic how many watermelons per acre?
Share them in the comments section below.
Related content:
what breed is best in yielding and on market
When it comes to watermelon farming in Kenya, the breed that stands out as the best in terms of both high yield and market demand is the Sukari F1 variety. This particular breed has gained popularity among Kenyan farmers for several compelling reasons.
Firstly, Sukari F1 watermelons are renowned for their exceptional yield.
They consistently produce large, juicy fruits that are not only visually appealing but also deliciously sweet. With proper cultivation practices and favorable growing conditions, farmers can expect impressive harvests that meet their productivity goals.
Secondly, Sukari F1 watermelons have proven to be highly sought after in the Kenyan market.
Consumers appreciate their vibrant red flesh, refreshing taste, and excellent texture. This breed aligns perfectly with the preferences of local consumers, making it a reliable choice for farmers aiming to capture a significant market share.
Furthermore, Sukari F1 watermelons have a good shelf life, allowing farmers to transport and store them without compromising their quality. This characteristic is crucial for ensuring that farmers can supply their produce to various markets across Kenya, even those located at a considerable distance from their farms.
Lastly, Sukari F1 breed is well-suited to the Kenyan climate and growing conditions. It exhibits good tolerance to common pests and diseases that can affect watermelon crops, reducing the need for excessive pesticide applications and lowering production costs.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a watermelon breed that excels in both yield and market demand in Kenya, the Sukari F1 variety is an excellent choice. Its high productivity, consumer appeal, good shelf life, and adaptability to the local conditions make it a reliable and profitable option for watermelon farming in Kenya.