Why are my Watermelons in my garden cracking and splitting open?

Question

Why are my Watermelons in my garden cracking and splitting open?

Answer 1

Splitting is caused by an **erratic watering pattern,** particularly the excessive accumulation of water. The inside of the fruit is under great pressure and the fruit splits open when lightly tapped. Never, ever refer to this as "exploding", as this term is not an accurate or market-friendly description of the problem. This condition is weather related and there probably is a cultivar interaction as well.

Answer 2

I think you need to pick them sooner they are over ripe

Answer 3

They do that when they get a lot of water all at once.  The vines push the excess moisture into the fruits so that the roots don't rot.  Have you recently had a lot of rainy weather?  

Same thing happened to my watermelons.  I live in northern Florida, and lately we've had almost daily rains.  We're the only ones with a garden in our neighborthood, so we had no problem giving the cracked melons away.  

Answer 4

as you heard water will do that but not only that if you put to much nitrogen on them or to much plant food that has high nitrogen this will happen.Melons along with some types of pumpkins will grow very fast once set on the vines.For example corlina cross 186 loves to be fed however the inside will out grow the outside to fast and it starts to crack.Add that with to much water and you have just what it takes to split your fruit  right up.Many gardeners hill the seeds at planting to allow water to drain off the root system the plant makes. Good luck and perhaps next year you might want to hill even more and maybe put plastic multch down befor you plant as it helps some to,,,

Answer 5

I know overwatering can cause splitting of fruit & vegies.