How to grow watermelons outdoors to get a good harvest

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Many summer residents are interested in the question of how to grow watermelons in the open field so that they have time to ripen during our not very long summer. And this is quite understandable. Still, we, in Russia, do not have such a hot climate as where watermelons are grown, which are sold in markets and shops. And yet there is such a possibility.

Before you figure out in practice how to grow watermelons in the open field, decide on the choice of suitable varieties. In Central Russia, only early-ripening varieties of watermelons have time to reach maturity. The fewer days that must elapse from fruit set to full ripening, the better. It is better to refuse large fruits - they can only ripen in the south. Seeds for seedlings should be planted no later than the last week of April - the first week of May, in plastic or peat pots with a diameter of 10 cm. It is advisable to place them on the windowsills of windows facing south so that lighting is not required. Watermelon seeds begin to germinate already at 17 ° C, but the recommended temperature is 25 - 30 oC during the day and around 19°C at night. While the plants remain on the windowsill, it is necessary to carry out two top dressings. Use complex mineral fertilizers for this.

Small watermelons should not be in contact with each other leaves, so move the pots apart if necessary. Seedlings are planted when the plants already have three to five true leaves (corresponding to a 25 to 35 day old potted seedling). A week before planting in holes in open ground, watermelons must be hardened. To do this, the temperature during the day is reduced to 15 - 17 ° C, and at night - to 12 - 15 ° C, at the same time, the ventilation of the room is increased.

How to grow watermelons outdoors? It is best to choose a site where legumes, cabbage or potatoes used to grow. They are the best predecessors for watermelons. Seedlings are planted on ridges, in holes, according to the planting scheme from 140x70 to 140x140 cm, 1-2 plants per hole. If two watermelons are placed in the hole, their whips are eventually bred in different directions. Compost must first be added to each hole and watered well. Seedlings are planted in the resulting slurry, sprinkled on the sides with dry earth so that a hard crust does not form. If the plant was grown in a plastic pot, it is taken out carefully, trying to leave the earthen lump with roots intact. If the seedlings grew in peat pots, watermelons are planted in the ground right in them.

The first ripe watermelons appear in late July - early August. Gradually, the matte color disappears from the fruit bark.plaque, characteristic of still immature fruits, the bracts dry out, the hairs of the peduncle fall off. If you tap your finger on a ripe fruit of early ripening varieties, you will hear a muffled sound. All these signs indirectly indicate that you can already enjoy the cherished juicy pulp.

Even experienced gardeners who know how to grow watermelons in the open field can not get a harvest every season. Unfortunately, the climatic conditions of the middle lane are not very conducive to this. So in answer to the question: "How to grow good watermelons?" we can only advise to plant them in heated greenhouses.