Watermelon, citrullus lanatus rank third among the world highly cultivated crops, superseded only by potato and tomato in that order. In fact planting watermelon made me become lazy and mono cropper. Before I started planting watermelon, my chief crops were maize, cassava, yam, cocoyam and rice. But after planting watermelon for two years, I abandoned other crops and concentrated on watermelon till today.
When you are considering quick cash in farming, watermelon is among the crops to consider. The gestation is not more than 80 days, money don come. Kudi yaazo. Cultivated all over tropical climate the largest producers are China, Turkey, Iran, Brazil and U. S. A. in that order. It is produced all over in Nigeria from Maiduguri to Lagos and from Sokoto to Calabar.
Time of planting In southern Nigeria
We have three planting seasons: Early planting is in March, Mid season planting and the most lucrative but risky is June 25 to July 15. Late season planting is August 15 to September 15 in Kwara Oyo and northern parts of Ogun state. Planting in south Ogun, that is Ilaro, Ifo, Ota, Idiropo to Badagry in Lagos is September 15 to October 15. This is
because late rains last till December in these areas.
In the Northern Parts; early season planting is in May and late season planting is July. But with functional irrigation in the north, they are able to plant throughout the year .Lake chad basin in Bornu, Hadeja river basin in Kano are the major irrigation projects turning out watermelon all year round in Nigeria. I am aware that when the price goes so high watermelon is imported into Nigeria from Niger, Chad, Benin and Togo republics.
LAND PREPARATION
Watermelon requires loamy soil or silt loam soil it also perform well on heavy soil if it is well-drained. It does not tolerate waterlogging at all. So if planting on heavy soil, ridging will be helpful to improve drainage. On loamy soil, we normally plant on the flat land. Plowing starts immediately on the first rain. Even if the first rain comes in January, plow the land ready for the second operation.
If the second rain comes any time after February 15th, we can plant in Lagos and southern parts of Ogun state. In other parts, Igbogila, Ayetoro, Abeokuta, Odeda and all parts of Oyo state should plant in March. Planting should stop by the end of March. If you risk planting in very early April, you may succeed but if the June rain should start before 15th of June forget it. The tendency is that either the melon will not ripe or you loose a lot to blossom and it rots. Maturity takes a minimum of 75 days. On the second rain or within the stipulated time, harrow or replow and plant immediately. Experience has shown that portions planted immediately after plowing records higher germination percentage than portions planted the following day unless there is overnight rain.
NICE WRITE UP but @ what time of d year is watermelon imported into Nigeria. Do we export @ all. I need facts & sources
can a farmer use herbicide just before planting watermelon or it is not advisable
Where can one get high quality seeds to plant?
Watermelon is imported ro call call it smuggled into Nigeria trough seme border between February to May every year We dont produce enough watermelon in Nigeria for export. But thanks to the Hadeja and Lake chad irrigation schemes are producing watermelon all year round.
You will get good quality seed from farm service shops at Agege,, Ifo,, Ado odo, ,
It depends on the type of herbicide, there is pre planting herbicide, pre emergence herbicide, post planting or post emergence herbicides. Mistake in the choice of herbicide can be very fatal so be very careful about it
Nice write up, after planting it, do they ripe at once or in batches? Can someone get market for let say 50 acres farm of watermelon?
No they do not ripe all at once, if you can not differentiate the ripe from unripe it is advisable for you to leave all to ripe before you pick.
In Edo state, when to plant hand what is the distance btw the plant. Finally what is the average cost per time in N
I really love this write up. Thanks a lot for this info. I wuld like to ask you lots of questions. pls contact me via my email. slash007a@gmail.com
hello i so much like your write up here, i have been reading many articles on agriculture because i want to start farming by march, can you kindly give me more information on this water melon, in fact i will like to have your contact details as i will need your experience in many areas my email nelsonbrown11@yahoo.com please get in touch with me and leave your contact details. thanks
am going into water melon production but my concern in the market, and also what size of land can guarantee 100k profit and the cost of production. thanks
Pls I will like to have ur e mail, I have a lot of questions to ask
From your explainations here, is like the major challenges watermelon face is access rain water, what of the ideas of providing water for the plants? That be watering the plants. Is there any where one can have basic couching for planting?
Nice write up. It going to really help but I need to ask some questions. Can I get a direct email address or a number to call you on please. Thanks
good job you are doing here. please I need to get your contact cos I need your help and have a lot to discuss with you on this watermelon farming. My whatsapp contact is 08135980333
Well done. Can watermelon be cultivated inDelta state
Nice write up. Please I want to know what insecticide is to be used after two weeks of planting, the Hausa man that introduced this business to me said that we spray again worm and insects. Please can I know the insecticide to be used? Secondly, I will like to find out the planting spacing, no of seeds to be planted and whether manure(chicken dung) can be used to improve the yield. If yes how should it be applied. Thanks
I’m interested and just embark on watermelon farm your assistance might be of help.
Hello I have gone through your writeup I am really intereste in your writeup I’m an Edo State man, although I am presently base in Lagos.
I need more of your guide thanks.
Where are you?
Am a farmer in ogun state. I have some quantity to sell. Can you help please.
I really appreciated this write up, i want know how to get viable seed
l want to plant the watermelon here in Bayelsa state @ june 17th, i want to kno whether it advicable?
Infact I love ur write pls send me a text or WHARSAPP. Let us discuss more on watermelon planting. So much interested
My tel. 07060658328
Thank you
Pls how do I get the address or phone number of Farm Services Shop to buy correct seed for my watermelon bcs another season is on the way now.
Thank for ur wealth of experience
Am just about clearing some. Land in Ikorodu for watermelon plantation. Please advice if this is a good time to start. Thank you
I think it’s a good time to start clearing now depends on the size of land. Pls can u please educate us a little on u plan to plant your watermelon. We also want to plant in August but we don’t want to make mistake, we need guidance from the beginning to the end. Thank you
Please, when is the next best time to start planting watermelon arround Ikorodu Lagos now.
We have some plots and also some an acre of land where we wish to start our watermelon farming but we want to be tactical with the timing to avoid casualties.
Please advice
Wonderful info. Can I have your gsm no o email so that we could discuss further
Hello Elyjay,
I have 20 acres of land in Benin, Edo state and intend going into water melon and cucumber farming. Please I need your expertise on this and ready to to pay for your services if required.
Thanks,
Godwin
08127278562
Please i have a large acres of land in delta state & i want to go into water melon farming, please i need your advice, i will pay for your consultation
Please i have a large acres of land in delta state & i want to use it for water melon farming, please advice me, i will pay for your consultation, here is my phone number 08032671271
Please drop your email address and our expert will contact you
Please drop your email address and our expert will contact you
adamariagood@yahoo.com that’s my e-mail address. I need details
Email: olumorotiniyiisaac@gmail.com can i plant watermelon in osun state and how to get good variety.
Yes you can plant water melon in osun. Which part of osun state?
Can I plant water melon in abuja? Need contact of a consultant. Contact me on eweregun@yahoo.com
Thanks so much for this. But pls kindly contact me via my email deyinka002@gmail.com. i really wish to start it in iseyin oyo state this year
thank you so much for the write up. please i just cleared about 4 plots at ikorodu and want to go into watermelon farming. pls advice on how to go about it. samuel 08034816936. sammyjuly5@yahoo,com
am an entrepreneur i am about to embark on farming watermelon, please how can you help me…i intend starting in middle February 2017 when best can i plant it and do you have an idea of what an acre of land with watermelon can get in a market? please do contact me as i need your urgent response
Hello Please, i will like to know how much in terms of profit can be made from one acre of land,secondly if there is a ready market for it.
Pls contact me on ochogwuruth@gmail.com. I’m ready to pay for ur guidance
How can I get your phone number?
Pls I want to do watermelon farming. And I need answers to some questions. Pls contacts me on angelaeze90@gmail.com
please i need advise..i want to start water melon growing.i am in ibadan,egbeda local govt.area adeyonuoluwafemi@yahoo,com 08139570452….thats my number and email.thanks i await your quick response.
Thanks for these guidline ,but which period is more profitable, early or late planting.
Thank you for the post. Please can it be planted in Enugu state and around what time?
I stay at the western part of Nigeria is it ok for me to plant waterlemon.
I am interested in starting watermelon farming in ota ogun state, i have 4acre of land to plant next month, Pls i need an expert to show me the ropes. Am willing to pay consultancy fee. Tanks
Pls u did not include spacing and seed rate
Please can I plant watermelon in anambra state in August or September? When will it be too late? And what do I need to know regarding my environment, the specie required and any other helpful info.