why didn't my garden grow?

Question

I tried to grow watermelons this year and the plants grew vines and flowers but no fruit. I had one little watermelon (about 1 inch big) and then it died. What can I do to improve it for next year? Also my cucumber plants made a few cukes but they were small.

Answer 1

Look in your phone book and find the closest co-op to you. Then, call them, and find out their hours of operation. Then, go out to your garden, get a good sample of your soil (ask the co-op how much you should bring and from what depth) and then take it to them for testing. They will be able to tell you what you need to add to your soil for the best vegatable/fruit production.

Next, visit our gardening group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OkVegGardens/

There are lots of good people in there that can give you some great advice!

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I know tomatoes have a problem called "blossom end rot", or something to that effect, where, after the flower is pollinated and a small fruit begins to form, the tomato begins to rot right at the bottom of the fruit, where sometimes you can see the shell or remains of the flower. The rot eventually consumes the entire tomato and it falls off.

I don't know if that can happen to watermelons too, but I've seen similar things happen to summer squash as well. I think it has something to do with lack of sunlight, poor drainage, bad ph, and / or a lack or imbalance of one of three main nutrients: Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium. Make sure all these things are corrected or are in good supply and you should have healthier watermelons. Watermelons and other vines are heavy feeders and need an adequate supply of nutrients. It also helps if they have good hot summer temps along with enough water, etc...

Answer 3

There could be several causes.. the one that jumps out at me is water. Cukes and melons both need a lot of water to make sizable fruit.

Another point could be the amount of fertilizer you used. They are both vigorous, fast growing plants that like to eat. That, too could cause small fruit.

The advice on having your soil analyzed is good. If you know what the soil needs, you can grow better plants. Better luck next year!