Preparing soil for watermelons with added special ingredient

I show you how I amend my clay soil for growing watermelons.
Products I used in the video (affiliate)

[SirSkippy]

When I start a new garden bed that I plan on growing anything in the cucurbitaceae family (watermelon and other melons, pumpkin, gourds, cucumbers, squash, cantaloupe, etc) I do 40% Soil3 Veggie Mix compost, 30% native soil, and 30% sand). I’m a competitive watermelon grower and grew my largest watermelon yet last year (2023), a 313.5 lb Carolina Cross watermelon and won first place! However, I was 37 lbs off the world record, which would be amazing to accomplish! But yeah, sand is amazing for melons, or anything in the Cucurbitaceae family!

[ronaldkoh]

Wow, you are a super energetic one man farmer.
Surely all the watermelon plants will gladly return the favour with a prolific harvest. Thanks for this great video

[KatyatheBlack]

That music is so pretty- that played while you were tilling everything together:)

[juliemcgugan]

LOL! I feel you and can sympathize with the 'John Wayne' gait! Seriously, though, thanks for this! This is great for me, as I am preparing to put my watermelon starts in tomorrow!

[thatdamnsamsquanch]

Here in central WI we're called the Central Sand Plains. We basically have a 2 feet of top soil followed by nothing but sand. Years ago I grew a small garden and most the stuff did okay. But the few watermelon plants I had almost took over the garden. They were big and sweet too. Our well water is great too. Its like having a massive Brita filter in our back yard.

[陳瑞佳]

You have done so good job for the farming, watermelons

[RichBurris]

East Texas has always been good for tasty watermelons.

[worthamthevoice]

Tbh, that is some beautiful, nice, rich, and fluffy dirt. 💪

[FC-czzd]

Glad I found this video. I'm in east coast central FL. about to attempt my 1st watermelon grow. We got sand! Cleared a spot recently for a raised bed just for the melons but may just amend the soil as you have done and transplant directly. Thanks for the advice!

[maegardnermills]

We grew the famous Washington Parish Watermelons 🍉.
" Where to plant watermelons

Grow watermelon in rich, well-drained soil. Planting watermelons on hills or mounds ensures that roots stay warm and that the soil is well drained. Amend the planting area with compost and well-rotted manure. Where you plan to sow seed or set transplants, dig a hole 1 foot (30 cm) deep and 1 foot wide; fill the hole with rich aged compost and manure mixed with several handfuls of sand—the growing spot will be both moisture retentive and well-draining. Add a handful each of rock phosphate (rich in phosphorus), earthworm castings (all-around nutrient-rich), and Epsom salts (rich in magnesium). Use the soil removed from the hole to build a mound on top and rake it flat. Sow seed or set a transplant there. Watermelon roots commonly grow 8 to

[roflstomps]

It's funny watching a guy do the exact same thing that I do to make tons of food. Good job, Pete. We are getting nailed with rain and wind right now. About another week before I can do the same. As an aside: Carrots love sandy soil as well. Just make sure to keep it moist at all times or the carrots won't do anything substantial.

[davidvelen]

Nice job as always Pete, I planted potatoes, bell peppers, onions and tomatoes about 5 weeks ago and all doing well so far. This is the first time I have tried the weed barrier cloth and staples and can tell you already I am sold. Very few if any weeds or grasses invading the raised beds which in the past were always an epic battle. I used the blow torch method that you recommended and it worked just fine. Thanks for your help !

[DavidfromMichigan]

Texas baby. Use to live there. Cade lakes. Best place to grow up.... for part of your life that is. Now I'm saying Michigan baby! Woohoo! Get your gardens ready people! It's

[TheGinger]

Hahaha....that was to funny how you were walking after plowing !

[johntheherbalistg]

Watermelons like sand because they want their roots to dig downward quickly. They kinda race the spring rains down to the soil water line, and they prefer to win that race, so sand helps with getting their roots down

[deloresochoa]

OH MY GOODNESS!!! You made this old grandmama laugh, when you were done tilling the soil!!!! Thank you for sharing. Enjoyed it all. lol lol lol lol lol

[neildriedger]

GREAT video, loved it Pete!Looking forward for your next video!

[fhuluphuravhathu]

great, i have finally saw what i needed, but i still need to see how to water this plant

[Don-wfiy]

thats good to hear...watermelon should grow perfectly in my garden..thanks for the tip.

[garyb]

Enjoyed your prep for garden, Hope bounty is great.