Watermelon is a fast crop. In about 75 to 90 days you can move from planting to harvest, making it a favourite for young farmers and investors in districts like Kayunga, Luwero, Nakasongola and northern Uganda.
Varieties
- Sugar Baby: small round fruits, dark skin, popular in local markets.
- Crimson Sweet: larger striped fruits, sweet red flesh.
- Hybrid varieties such as Sukari F1 for high yields and uniform fruits.
Land and climate
Watermelons love sun, warmth and well drained sandy loam soil. Avoid waterlogged land. Plough and harrow well, then add manure.
Planting
Plant two to three seeds per hole, then thin to the strongest seedling. Spacing of about 1.5 to 2 metres between rows and 1 metre between plants gives vines room to spread.
Care
- Water regularly, especially at flowering and fruit set
- Weed early before vines cover the ground
- Apply fertilizer at planting and top dress at vine running
- Control fruit flies, aphids, thrips and powdery mildew
When to harvest
A ripe watermelon has a dried tendril near the fruit, a creamy yellow spot where it touches the ground and a hollow sound when tapped.
Marketing
Line up buyers before harvest: market vendors, juice bars, supermarkets and traders who transport to Kampala, Juba and Nairobi. Staggered planting gives you steady income instead of one glut.
Frequently asked questions
How many watermelons per acre?
With good management, an acre can yield several thousand fruits depending on variety and spacing.
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