I planted watermelon in early july and have plants big enough to transplant is it to late for melons in CT?

Question

I planted watermelon in early july and have plants big enough to transplant is it to late for melons in CT?

Answer 1

Yes. It's way too late. Watermelon requires a very long growing season and full sun and very hot days almost all the way through. July is too late to set out plants, and in Connecticut, you will lose the light before they're ready to produce fruit.

Next season start your plants indoors under grow-lights or in a cold frame or window box at least three weeks before the last frost.  This means you should start them in late April and set them outside by end of May. They need full sun and lots of room. Don't OVER water them early on--just water like any other plant. They need a LOT of water when the fruit starts forming, then stop giving them so much after the melons are half-grown.  Don't water too much closer to harvest, or they will have hollow centers.