As the watermelon turns?

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catmad Pelzer, SC(Zone 7b) Jul 07, 2007

I was talking to my neighbor who has lived here all her life, snd she says that when her dad grew watermelons, he sent her brother out to "turn" them every week or so. She didn't know how much they were turned, just that they were (it was not her job*G*). I've never heard of it, but I've never grown watermelons (successfully) either. Do I turn them, or roll them from one side to the other, stand them on their heads, or something? Help!
Thanks,
Margo

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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Jul 07, 2007

I have never heard of it either and I have grown watermelons for better than 60 years. I jus plant them in the ground and run. Nature does a better job than I can.

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catmad Pelzer, SC(Zone 7b) Jul 07, 2007

Thanks Farmerdill! I just went out and looked at them, and I know they're in there....but getting to them would be another story. They're on their own. Whew.

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tucsonjill Lincoln, NE(Zone 5a) Jul 07, 2007

I like the idea of watermelon gymnastics, myself.... Thanks for sharing the mental image, catmad! Isn't there something, though, about putting them on paper plates to keep them off the ground? Could that be part of why you might turn them? Have never successfully grown them myself, but I keep having fantasies...

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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Jul 07, 2007

No reason to keep a watermelon of the ground, soft rind melons like Crenshaws, Ogens, and some cantaloupes get attacked by ground dwelling worms bugs and voles and it is advisable to put something under them. I us 4 inch squares of 1/4 inch plywood but paper/plastic plates (upside down so they don't catch water) would work just fine.

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msrobin Caneyville, KY(Zone 6b) Jul 09, 2007

I turn mine, just because I like poking around my plants to check on progress.

If not turned, watermelon will sometimes have a large white/yellow spot on the bottom side and pumpkins sometimes will have a flat side.

Thanks for the cantaloupe info. I'm out to the garden at daybreak to put plywood squares under them...counted 6 last night...Yippee!

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