Growing watermelons in the open field in the middle lane: the technology of growing from seeds and seedlings. Technology for growing watermelons in the open field, soil selection, formation and care How to plant and grow watermelons correctly

First, you need to clearly understand, in order to grow a high-quality watermelon in the open field, you need the same high-quality planting material, so buy seeds in the places you have checked. If your garden plot is located closer to the south of Russia, then you can grow watermelons in the open field, otherwise, most likely you cannot do without a greenhouse.

Place and soil

It should be a very sunny place with deep waters, as the watermelon does not tolerate excessive moisture. The soil is preferable to sandy loam or sandy, light, since the berry gains juiciness from the root system, which penetrates deep into the ground. In heavy soil, the root system of a watermelon is not able to fully develop, but its deep loosening will slightly improve the situation. pH 6.5-7.0. Pay attention to the availability, the watermelon doesn't like them.

It is good if the predecessor of watermelons was alfalfa or winter wheat. It is impossible to grow watermelons after any melons or nightshades.

In autumn, the land is fertilized with rotted manure (4-5 kg per 1 square meter). Fresh manure makes the plant vulnerable to fungal diseases.

Preparation of watermelon seeds and sowing in open ground (seedless method of growing watermelons in open ground)

Before sowing in open ground, the seeds of watermelons need to be warmed up in the sun (right in a bag) for 10 days, so that their temperature reaches 55 ° C, if the seeds are wet, then up to 30 ° C. Then fill them with water and leave for 30 minutes. Those seeds of watermelons that float will have to be thrown away, they are not suitable for sowing. Next, fill it with hot water (50-60 ° C), when the water cools down, drain it and soak it until pecking. If the seeds cannot be calcined in the sun, then from February the seed has been stored near the battery. 3 days before the intended sowing in the morning, prepare a solution of ash (1 part ash to 2 parts water), stir for 12 hours. On the same day in the evening, immerse the seeds in a dark solution of potassium permanganate for 15-20 minutes, rinse and dip them in the prepared ash solution overnight. Remove and dry the next morning.

Watermelon seeds can be sown from late April until mid-June, it all depends on the weather conditions, and by what time you want to get the harvest. Focus on soil temperature (16 ° C).

Seeds of watermelons are sown to a depth of 6-8 cm at the rate of 10 seeds per running meter, let them be planted thicker, because it is not a fact that all the seeds will sprout. To obtain large watermelons, fresh seeds are usually taken for sowing, since old seeds will produce small watermelons with a large number of flower ovaries on one plant. After sowing, water the soil with warm water. The first shoots should appear a week after sowing. When 5 leaves appear, huddle the plants, gently loosening the soil. Remember that warmth and no rain is important for watermelons, so shelter should always be at hand. Sometimes, when the fruits reach 10 cm in diameter, pinching of the main lash is carried out with the removal of all lateral shoots, then the plant spends all its strength on the development of the main ovary.

Growing seedlings of watermelons for open ground

It is not difficult to grow watermelons in the open field using the seedling method. To grow watermelon seedlings, use peat-humus pots, this is very convenient because when transplanting, the seedlings are not removed from them, they are planted directly in the holes, which means they do not damage the vulnerable root system. If you use plastic cups, then the seedlings are removed with a lump of earth, doing this very carefully, without damaging the roots. At the end of April, in peat-humus pots (each seed has its own pot), pour 2/3 of the soil mixture from peat, humus and sod land in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. Soak the seeds in warm water (up to 50 ° C) for 10 minutes. Now deepen one watermelon seed by 1 cm. As the seedling grows, add soil mixture and monitor the temperature in the room (25-30 °). When the first true leaf appears, a complex mineral fertilizer is applied, and after 2 weeks the feeding is repeated. When you notice that the leaves of the watermelon seedlings began to touch each other, move the pots apart. Seedlings of watermelons will be ready for planting in open ground at the age of 30 days, at which point the plant should have about 5 true leaves. A week before transplanting watermelon seedlings into open ground, harden the plants (during the day, lower the temperature to 17 ° C, and at night to 12-15 ° C.

Immediately before planting the seedlings, they are fertilized into the soil, about 2 kg of compost are added to each hole with abundant watering. Watermelon seedlings are planted in open ground in the holes on the ridges according to the scheme 140x70 or 140x140, deepening by 8-10 cm in the resulting gruel, but so that the root collar is 1-2 cm above the surface of the ridge.If you plant 2 plants in one hole, then so that they do not touch each other, spread the whips in different directions. Fill the holes with dry soil, then the crust will not form.

In central Russia, choose varieties of watermelons for growing in the open field with the earliest ripening and medium-sized sizes.

Outdoor watermelon care

Watering is very moderate, especially during the ripening period, reduce it to a minimum. 14 days after planting watermelons in a permanent place, add a solution of ammonium nitrate (20 g of the drug per bucket of water per 1 bush, 2 liters of solution). During the budding period, feeding is repeated.

Only 2-6 ovaries are left on the bush. Each time after moistening the soil, loosening is carried out until the foliage closes. In windy weather, the watermelon lashes are sprinkled with moist earth, and during the period of possible frost, the plants are covered with non-woven material.

Place foil or any other non-rotting material under the plants so that moisture, from which the fruits may start to deteriorate, could not spoil the crop.

Turn the watermelons regularly to ripen evenly.

Pay attention to the fruits, if one berries began to grow vigorously, while others lag behind in development and turn yellow, then additional feeding is required.

Collection of watermelons

In August, there is an intensive ripening of watermelons, so their readiness for harvesting can be determined by a set of signs:

glossy surface;
drying out of the bracts;
there are no hairs on the peduncle;
when tapping on the berries, a dull sound is heard.

We invite you to watch a video on how the Charleston Gray and Orange King watermelons are grown from seed soaking to harvest.

Probably, you rarely meet a person who would not like watermelons. However, not all of us have a plot to grow our favorite fruits and vegetables. This is the main reason people are wondering how to grow a watermelon at home.

Not everyone knows, but you can grow watermelons without using seedlings, but immediately in a permanent place. As a rule, seedlings are used in order to subsequently transplant plants into a greenhouse. Garden How to grow a watermelon outdoors

This is done so that the berry has time to ripen. And if we are talking about growing fruit at home, then this stage can be safely skipped.

Basic steps to grow the most delicious watermelon on the planet

You should start by buying a large enough capacity, because the watermelon has a branched root system. A 50x50x30 cm box is perfect for this. You can make it yourself, for example, from wooden boards. If this is not possible, then you can always take a basin or bucket. If the selected container is transparent, then it makes sense to wrap it with a dark cloth. Such a measure is necessary so that the roots do not dry out and turn green. The container must be filled with fertile soil with trace elements.

You can buy it at any garden or hardware store. Fortunately, nowadays, even in some supermarkets you can find similar goods, if, of course, there is a garden department there. Thirty days before you plan to plant a watermelon, you will need to lime the soil. This is necessary so that the acidity is about 6 pH.

Before planting the seeds, they must first be soaked for about ten minutes in water with a temperature of more than 100C. You need to keep it until the seeds begin to peck, after which they can be planted. Please note that in no case should you separate the seeds.

How many seeds to plant?

You don't need much, because they can all ascend. But three seeds will be the best option. It should be planted to a depth of about three centimeters. After the sprouts appear, you need to choose the strongest one and leave it.

Placing a plant

The best place is by the window

There is no better place than a windowsill. You can, of course, just put it near the window, but at the same time the plant should receive a sufficient amount of light. However, do not forget that the frame must not be left open, otherwise there is a risk of freezing the thermophilic plant. The best temperature for ripening is between +25 and +30 degrees. Until the fruit is formed, the plant will be considered a seedling. At night, the optimum temperature will be about +18 degrees. When you notice that the fruit begins to set, you should not drop the room temperature drastically. Leave it also at least +25 degrees. In addition, it should be remembered that moisture is destructive for watermelons. It must be remembered that watering should be moderate, do not overfill.

Harvesting in three months

Typically, if watermelons are grown in a greenhouse, it takes about three months. If we are talking about growing a watermelon at home, then most likely it will take a little longer. If we are talking about growing at a time of year when the daylight hours are less than twelve hours, then fluorescent lamps should be used. This is necessary to highlight the watermelon. Try to keep your lighting clearly directed. Let it illuminate the plant as much as possible. In addition, special reflective surfaces should be used. Moreover, you should place them around the watermelon.

Vitamins and minerals for the plant

Like any other living creature, a watermelon needs feeding. Try to do this according to a certain pattern. The most common method is primary feeding with phosphorus and nitrogen. Moreover, this is done in equal quantities. After you see that the fruits are tied, you should think about using a feeding, where there is a large amount of potassium. And at this moment it is necessary to ensure that there is not so much nitrogen in the feeding as in the initial stage.

It makes sense to install a support in the container with which you can fix the shoots of your watermelon. The most important stem is usually attached at a height of about one hundred centimeters. Lateral shoots are attached in a slightly different way: they are attached so that several leaves remain above the flower with an ovary.

After you notice that the fruits have formed, you do not need to leave everything. Two is enough, all the rest need to be pinched off, because there will be no point in them. They will only take away all the juices and nutrients. If you leave more than two fruits, then they will all remain small. When you see that the fruit has reached a size of about ten centimeters in diameter, then it must be placed in cheesecloth or mesh, after which it should be tied to a support. This is done to make it more durable.

By the way, when you grow a watermelon at home, you should remember that it will not reach such a huge size as in a greenhouse planting. However, thinner skin will be a big advantage. Usually, growing a watermelon at home, you can get a fruit weighing about a kilogram.

If you do not know which variety should be preferred, then stop at the seeds of such varieties as "Kaho," Ogonyok "or" Sibiryak ". These varieties are the most unpretentious for growing at home.

If the first time you fail to grow the kind of watermelon that you wanted or does not work at all, then you should not be very upset. Try again, just at the next landing you will need to take into account the mistakes made and not repeat them again. Juicy and sweet watermelons for you!

Originally from Africa, this summer berry was known to the ancient Romans and Egyptians thousands of years ago. Because of its diuretic properties, it has been a popular drug. Watermelons are grown in house plots, in the country, in the fields and farms. It is important to know that planting watermelons, like other plants, has different methods: in open soil or in a greenhouse. The process of planting watermelons is unpretentious, it is not difficult to grow a watermelon at home, but negligence and violation of the main agro-technological rules can destroy the plant even before the flowering stage. How to plant watermelons in different ways, what mistakes to avoid when planting and caring for watermelon in order to get a rich harvest, read below.

Soil preparation

It is clear that soil preparation is the most important step in the cultivation of this plant. After all, this is the environment in which the plant will develop until fruiting. But first, a few words must be said about the selection and preparation of seed. Initially, choose the correct variety or hybrid for your climate. Hybrids, as a rule, are already treated with fungicides, therefore, they do not need the method of seed preparation described below.

Before sowing, place the watermelon seeds in cheesecloth and dip in warm potassium permanganate solution. Place this container in a plastic bag and place it indoors at room temperature. Change the solution every day. Seed preparation does not take much time. In a couple of days you will see how the seeds hatch - this is a signal that you can plant them in the ground.

This plant is planted in a warm, well-lit place. Watermelon needs sandy or sandy soil. It is good if onions, cabbage, legumes were planted before the watermelon in this area.

As for the soil, its preparation involves the following actions:

even in the fall, it is better to enrich the soil with compost so that next year it is fruitful;
before planting in the soil for watermelons, it is worth adding potash, phosphate fertilizers and ammonium sulfate in a proportion of 1 m² 20:40:30 g;
the earth needs to be loosened and the beds prepared in advance.

Seedling method

The method is great for growing this plant in areas with short and not very hot summers. For planting watermelons using the seedling method, you need to select high-quality seeds of early hybrids. Keep in mind that after germination, seedlings cannot be planted for another 25 days. The seeds must be sown in April. How to properly plant seeds for watermelon seedlings? For seedlings of watermelons, special peat or plastic cups are used, in which one seed is planted.

Watermelon potting soil can be purchased at the store, or you can make your own. To do this, mix humus, peat, sand, earth in equal proportions and add wood ash. By the way, this mixture is suitable for all members of the Pumpkin family. Dip the seed into a moistened earthen mixture for a couple of centimeters. Place the cups under the plastic wrap. After emergence, the film is no longer needed.

Leave the cups on the windowsill in a room with an air temperature of no more than 22 degrees. The seedlings must be constantly monitored. Remove weak shoots after 5-7 days. One and a half weeks after germination, you can feed the seedlings. Dilute mullein, superphosphate, ammonium nitrate in water and water gently. Do not get the solution on the sheets.

Before planting watermelons outdoors, stop watering for 3 days and lower the room temperature so that the plant is ready for a stressful situation.

Growing from seeds

In the southern regions, the plant is planted in open ground with seeds. How to plant watermelons using this method and when is it usually sown? Pre-prepared good seeds are planted in the ground 10 cm deep. When disembarking, the ground temperature should be at least 14 degrees. When planting watermelons in the ground, pay attention to its structure. If it is sandy soil, then you can deepen the seeds by 8-10 cm, and if it is solid, then by 4-6 cm.

To grow a watermelon, prepare the soil: mix the top layer of earth with humus and ash and pour it into the hole. Line it all up and fill it with water. It is recommended to put at least 5 seeds in one hole. This does not mean that 5 individuals will grow from one hole. It's just that over time, you will need to leave the strongest seedling there.

Outdoor planting

When you see that the seedlings have grown stronger, the grown young plants can be transplanted into open ground. The first thing when planting watermelons in open ground is the selection of a place. It is better to choose a well-lit, windless area. If the place is windy, you can plant watermelons behind a corn fence. Then prepare the ground for the new plant - use organic fertilizers.

Often asked, at what distance to plant watermelons? It is recommended to adhere to the following parameters: there should be a distance of at least a meter between plants. They are usually planted with a checkerboard - the standard scheme for planting watermelons. Place the seedlings in the holes and compact with soil, leaving shoots with leaves on the surface. When all individuals are planted, water each one generously.

Planting and leaving in the open field includes not difficult, but basic steps:

periodic weeding and loosening of the earth around the base;
regular watering;
pinching shoots;
weed removal;
fertilization with organic matter added to superphosphate and calcium chloride;
treatment for diseases and pests.

It is also necessary to store and transport the harvested crop with the right approach, whatever the volume. First, you need to understand how resistant your variety is to shipping and storage. Secondly, you must prepare a special place for the watermelon. The room should have a temperature of up to 5 degrees with a humidity of 70-80% and a good ventilation system. Cover the bottom with dry moss or sawdust. Constantly monitor the watermelons, their condition.

Planting in a greenhouse

How to properly plant a watermelon at home if the climate is cold? It can be grown in a greenhouse without any problems. But here comes the question: how to plant a watermelon in a greenhouse?

Using this algorithm, you can properly plant and care for watermelons:

The seeds are planted in containers until the sprout appears. You can take specialized land for watermelons.
The soil for transplanting is prepared in a known way - by adding organic fertilizers to the soil.
Seedlings are placed in the holes at a distance of 70–80 cm.
Get a couple of bees in a greenhouse for better pollination.
Prune excess shoots.
Fertilize with mullein or liquid droppings.
July-August is harvest time.

Video "How to grow watermelons"

In this video, you will learn how to properly grow watermelons.

If you adhere to certain rules, you can get a good harvest of watermelons in your garden or in the country. This culture requires long and warm summers. It is possible to plant watermelons in open ground in all regions of Russia, with the exception of Siberia.

Caring for striped berries should include watering, thinning, feeding, loosening the soil and pruning. Watermelons are susceptible to diseases such as powdery mildew, olive spot, rot. In case of infection, watermelons are treated with fungicidal preparations.

Features of growing different varieties

The homeland of the plant is Africa. The culture belongs to the Pumpkin family. The stems of a watermelon are thin, strongly branched. They are curly or creeping. In length, they can reach 4 m. Young leaves have a thick pile. Then they become rough, hard, have an egg-triangular shape. In length from 7 to 23 cm. Inflorescences are female, male and hermaphrodite. They are boat-shaped. The fruit is a berry with a lot of seeds. The flesh is usually pink or red, and the outer shell is green (usually with light stripes).

Many varieties of watermelon are known, but they are all conventionally divided into 2 types - woolly watermelon and African melon tsamma (wild species).

All varieties are divided into 3 groups.

The early ripening ones include:

Skorik.
Victoria.
A twinkle.
Dolby.
Stabolite.
Jenny.

Mid-season are:

Ataman.
Couch potato.
Top gun.
Atey.
Dumara.

The late ones include:

Spring.
Icarus.

Currently, even varieties have been bred in which the fruits have a lemon flavor, and the flesh is yellow. There are also black-skinned hybrids.

The following varieties can be grown in the Moscow region:

1. Skorik. Fruit in the form of a ball weighing no more than 3 kg.
2. Light. The harvest is stable, but small. Usually the weight is up to 2 kg.
3. Crimson Sweet. Translated as "raspberry sugar". Among the early ripening varieties, the fruits are the largest - up to 8 kg.
4. Lazybones. Fruits up to 4 kg. They are distinguished by a rather long keeping quality - up to 3 months. Thanks to this, you can enjoy such a watermelon even for the New Year.

In Siberia, watermelons can only be grown in greenhouses. They must be strong. Polycarbonate or glass will do. In addition, another feature of growing watermelons in Siberia is that only the seedling method is used here, and it is impossible to place seeds in open ground.

The most suitable varieties of watermelon for Siberia are as follows:

1. Chill. Withstands low temperatures well. The variety is early maturing. The growing season takes no more than 100 days. Fruits by weight up to 7 kg. The pulp is juicy and sweet. Another advantage is the long shelf life of the berries - up to 1 year. The childbirth is distinguished by good transportability.
2. Ultra early. This variety is considered to be quite early maturing. Its growing season lasts up to 2.5 months. The pulp of the berries is sugar. They weigh 4-5 kg.
3. Photon. This is a mid-early variety. It takes 80-100 days to ripen. The plant is not demanding on the soil, it is resistant to diseases, the number of seeds in the berry is small, and the pulp is tender. Fruit weight is 3-6 kg.
4. Charleston Gray. The variety is recognizable by the elongated shape of large fruits. They weigh up to 10 kg. The culture is unpretentious in care.
5. Siberian Lights. This variety was bred specifically for areas with harsh climatic conditions. The plant is resistant to low temperatures, lack of light and drought. The culture almost never suffers from fusarium. The bark of the berry is dark, without stripes. There are few seeds. Fruit weight - up to 4 kg.
6. Siberian Giant. This is another variety that is bred for northern latitudes. Differs in frost resistance, large size (the fruit weighs up to 7 kg), long shelf life.
7. Ultra-early maturing. The fruits are stored for a long time. The plant is resistant to powdery mildew and anthracnose. The culture is easy to care for.

Landing rules

You can breed watermelons through seeds and seedlings. The first option is suitable for regions with warm climatic conditions.

Sowing seeds should be carried out in the spring as follows:

1. Select a site. On it, the soil should have time to warm up to 13 0 C.
2. Soak seeds in clean water until sprouts hatch.
3. Make a hole in the area. They should be 10 cm deep. The distance between the pits should be 1 m each.
4. Place the fertilizer in the well. It is recommended to mix humus with 1 tsp. ammophoska and 1 tbsp. l. wood ash.
5. Put the seeds there and sprinkle with the substrate.

The first shoots usually appear within 1.5-2 weeks. If you plant watermelon seeds in open ground in regions with a cold climate, then you must wait until the end of May or the beginning of June. You can also carry out planting under the film - a kind of greenhouse. In this case, the harvest is obtained much earlier. Some people prefer to cover the space between the holes with black plastic. This attracts the sun's rays and prevents rapid evaporation of moisture from the soil.

Another method is seedling. It is suitable for northern regions.

Landing is carried out as follows:

1. Properly prepare the substrate. It is recommended to mix peat, fine sand and turf soil.
2. Pick up the pots. They should be large and wide. At the bottom you need to make holes to drain excess water.
3. Place the watermelon seeds in special containers. It is recommended to do this at the end of spring. Keep containers in a warm place with a temperature of about 30 0 C.
4. Take care of the sprouts. Water the seedlings periodically. It is necessary to ensure that water does not get on the seedlings. If necessary, you need to turn on additional lamps to improve lighting.
5. Carry out hardening. This should be done 2 weeks before planting the seedlings in the open ground. It is necessary that they get used to such conditions. To do this, the container with planting material should be taken out for 1-2 hours outside or on the balcony. Gradually you need to increase the interval - add an hour every day.

Preliminary preparation of the site is mandatory before moving the seedlings into open ground. The soil should be well warmed up, loosened. The place should be chosen with protection from strong winds and drafts. Watermelon seedlings feel best in those areas where legumes, alfalfa, and cabbage were previously grown. You should not choose a place where eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers used to grow. Sandy or sandy soil is ideal. It is necessary to add potassium compounds and superphosphate to it. If the soil is too heavy, then fine river sand is added to it.

Planting watermelon sprouts in open ground is as follows:

1. Dig holes. The distance between them should be 1-1.3 m. Between the rows, 1.5-2 m should be left. It is recommended to place the sprouts in a checkerboard pattern.
2. To deepen the seedlings into the holes and sprinkle with a substrate. Above should be shoots with leaves.
3. Pour sand near the seedlings. It will prevent diseases such as root rot.
4. Water the seedlings.

In the future, it remains only to take care of the culture.

The nuances of care

Watermelon care is as follows:

1. Thinning of sprouts. As soon as they appear, some need to be pulled out - only the weak or the sick. If healthy seedlings have sprouted too close to each other, then they can be planted in different places.
2. Watering. It should be timely and regular, once a week. For 1 sq. m of the site relies on 3 liters of water. It should be poured not only under the root of the plant, but also into the spaces between the rows. It is best to use rainwater or settled water at room temperature. During the heat, it is required to water the crop twice a week. When the fruits begin to appear, watering must be gradually reduced, and 2 weeks before the berries are picked, it is stopped altogether.
3. Loosening of the soil. This should be done the day after watering. By loosening the soil, the roots gain access to oxygen. Weeds can be removed in parallel. The herb is not dangerous for the watermelon, as its root system is quite branched. Weeding should be done carefully so as not to damage it.
4. Top dressing. The first time it should be carried out 2 weeks after planting the culture. To do this, use chicken manure, mullein or ammonium nitrate. As for the last substance, you will need 20 g of product per 2 liters of water. This is enough for one shrub. If you use a mullein, then you need to prepare a solution in a ratio of 1:10. When using chicken manure, it is required to make a solution in a ratio of 1:10. For each bucket of such solutions, it is supposed to add another 15 g of double superphosphate and the same amount of calcium chloride. The second time feeding should be carried out when the fruits begin to set. In this case, it is recommended to use superphosphate and ammonium nitrate. You can mix 4 g of calcium chloride and ammonium nitrate with 3 g of double superphosphate. This is enough for 1 shrub. Fertilizers are supposed to be applied in the form of a powder, but then you need to water the culture. The mixture can be dissolved in water.
5. Pruning. On one bush, you need to leave no more than 5-6 fruits. They should be the largest and healthiest in appearance. The rest will have to be cut, otherwise all the fruits will not be able to fully develop.

As for diseases, the watermelon suffers from the following:

1. Powdery mildew. A whitish-gray bloom appears on the leaves.
2. Peronosporosis. It is also called downy mildew. Not only a gray bloom appears on the leaves, but also yellow spots.
3. Anthracnose. Pink-yellow pads form on the leaves.
4. Olive spot. Irregular spots appear on the leaves and stems. The latter also become corrugated.
5. Bacteriosis. Oily patches appear on the leaves and stems.
6. Rot. It comes in root, black, white and gray. The cause is fungus.
7. Cucumber mosaic. The disease cannot be cured. A peculiar ornament appears on the leaves.

Although watermelon is considered an unpretentious crop, with the wrong care, such diseases develop quite quickly. Fungicides deal with fungal infections. The plant cannot be saved from bacterial and viral. Of insects for watermelon, scoops, wireworms and melon aphids are dangerous. Insecticides help from them.

Watermelon is a favorite delicacy not only for children, but also for adults. The juicy pulp of this berry refreshes well and quenches thirst in the summer heat. If in the South the watermelon grows without any problems, then in the middle lane it is necessary to have certain knowledge in order for the plant to survive in the open field. The melon culture reacts extremely positively to the warm climate and negatively to the cold, but first things first.

The area in which you plan to grow this plant must be selected with great care. There should be no shade at the site of the future plantation, the site should be maximally illuminated by the sun. The soil should be sandy ideally, but sandy loam will do. The roots of the watermelon penetrate deep down into the soil, from where they are saturated with moisture and saturated with sweetness, for this reason, dense, clayey soil will not work. To make the soil the most porous, it must be dug up in the autumn. The acidity of the soil should not be higher than 7 units.

An excellent option would be to use areas where potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage or wheat used to grow. It is worth noting that the cultivation of melons and gourds on the same plot for the second year in a row will turn out to be a failure for you. Before planting, do not ignore the clearing of the area, the watermelon will not tolerate extraneous neighbors in the form of weeds or other vegetation.

Good period for growing

Unfortunately, if the summer in the year turned out to be cool, then no tricks will help you get a juicy, and most importantly, sweet watermelon. It is worth being ready for a rich harvest only when the summer turned out to be successful, with hot, sunny days.

Planting the plant should begin at the end of May, by this period the soil will be warmed up quite well. If the planting will be carried out by seedlings, then start preparing the seeds from the beginning of May. However, in any case, the last word remains with the weather conditions. If at the beginning of May you only have to dream about warmth, then you should not rush to planting.

Seed preparation

Watermelons are planted in 2 ways - seedling and seedless.

Seedling method

The berry has dense and rather tough seeds that require pre-soaking. Just half an hour is enough, but make sure the water is warm. Seeds that float in the water are unsuitable for planting, they can be safely disposed of. Cover the container with seeds and water with plastic and leave in direct sunlight. So you create an analogue of a greenhouse. It is important that the temperature in such a greenhouse does not drop below 25 degrees during the day and below 20 degrees at night.

After the seeds have hatched, they can be moved into a glass with soil. Typically, this procedure can be carried out in late April or early May. When choosing a glass, remember that the root system should not be cramped in it. Damage to the roots will be fatal for a watermelon. Mix the soil with minerals and humus before planting.

While the seedlings are growing, they will have to be fed several more times during the whole process. Plant several seeds in one glass at once, counting on the fact that one of them may not germinate. If both seeds sprout, then later they will simply be divided.

A sprout on which at least three healthy leaves have formed is healthy and suitable for transplantation. Loosen the soil and add compost before planting. Seedlings plant at a distance of 20 cm from each other. If you plant several shoots in one hole, then later they should be turned so that they grow in different directions. The seedling grooves should not be more than 10 cm deep. When planting, leaves must remain above the ground. At the end of the process, the seedlings are watered abundantly with warm water, so it will take root better.

Seedless way

If the weather is already warm enough outside, you can plant watermelons without using seedlings. As in the previous version, the seeds should be soaked in warm water. After the seeds have hatched, you can start planting them, but not in a glass, you can skip this stage. It is worth noting that the method of planting watermelons directly into open ground is only permissible if the weather forecast unequivocally denies the sudden onset of cold weather.

Several seeds are planted in one hole, prepare the holes in advance at a distance of 25 cm from each other. For a great yield, mix 1 to 1 soil, humus and ash. Add a few beds of mineral fertilizer to this mixture. Add 1 scoop of this mixture to each well. Place the seeds in the holes and cover them with humus on top. This will prevent crusting in the topsoil.

Watermelon care

Despite the fact that the melon culture is considered unpretentious in its growth, it is worth knowing some of the nuances in order to get a rich harvest.

Greenhouse imitation. Fragile sprouts are covered with material on top to prevent them from dying and getting ripe berries ahead of time. To create a homemade greenhouse, stick a few pegs around the edges and pull dense polyethylene between them. This greenhouse should be maintained until the end of June. When it comes time to shoot the film, it's best if it happens on a cloudy day. This will allow the plant to adapt more easily. If you decide to remove the film on a hot, sunny day, it could end up burning the sprouts.
Watering. Excessive watering is unacceptable for a watermelon; it prefers to feed on groundwater. The powerful root system of the plant successfully takes moisture from the lower layers of the soil. It is also impossible to overdry the watermelon, so it will not differ in its juiciness. The normal frequency of watering is considered several times a week.
Fertilizers. Already a week after planting seedlings in open ground, it needs to be fed with ammonium nitrate. Only 10 grams of the substance must be dissolved in 20 liters of water. After such feeding, fertilization with the usual mineral composition once every few weeks will be sufficient. In addition to fertilizers, do not forget to huddle the soil. It is vitally important for a watermelon to have loose soil, and experienced gardeners completely forbid walking and trampling the ground next to a watermelon planting.
Forming. This part is important in the care of watermelons. If the lashes of the plant have grown very long, they can be safely tied up or nailed down with earth so that the wind does not damage them. A month later, the formation of the first ovaries begins. When these ovaries reach the size of a large plum, the largest ones are left, several pieces, the rest are removed. This procedure is called pinching. When a plant bears fruit, it provides them with all the essential nutrients it takes from the soil. When there are too many such fruits, they will remain small, since the plant is not able to provide them with all the necessary components for growth and ripening. To make the fruits large and tasty, several pieces are removed at the very beginning. On one bush, usually no more than pieces of watermelons are left.

More information about caring for watermelons here:

When the watermelons begin to ripen, they can be turned from side to side about once every 10 days. If the soil starts to rot, it is worth putting several planks under the berry, which will reduce contact with the ground.

Harvesting

Harvesting traditionally takes place in August. In order to determine the degree of ripening of a watermelon, it is enough to carefully consider it. A ripe fruit will have a shiny skin and a dry tail. The stem of a ripe berry will not be hairy. If you knock on the fruit, then you will hear a dull sound, it is from it that experienced gardeners understand that it is time to harvest.