How to grow watermelons in the garden. Growing watermelons in open ground in the middle zone: technology for growing from seeds and seedlings. How to plant watermelons using the seedling method
Some plant growers are interested in how to grow watermelon on their site. Everyone has such an opportunity today, and has been for quite some time. This is due to the developed hybrid and early varieties. However, to plant and obtain a harvest in the form of juicy fruits with excellent taste, you need to know about some nuances.
Preparing and planting seeds
Experts note that the most problems arise when growing watermelon seeds compared to other members of the melon family. To begin, the seeds need to be placed in slightly salted water. Seeds suitable for planting will sink to the bottom, while lighter and weaker ones will remain on the surface.
But this will not be enough if the crop is grown using this method. 1-2 days before planting, watermelon seeds should be kept for 3-4 hours at temperature indicators at 55 degrees or leave for 6-7 days in the sun so that the sowing material is thoroughly disinfected. After disinfection, the seed should be left in warm water for a day. This way you can speed up their germination.
In the southern regions and the Black Earth region, where juicy watermelons grown directly in the country or in industrial areas, the plant can be immediately planted in open ground by seed method. Optimal time for this purpose, it occurs when the soil heats up to 12-16 degrees at a 10-centimeter depth. The dimensions of the furrows for planting seeds depend on the size of the seed.
Any representatives of melons need abundant nutrition during ripening. It is provided by a massive root system and individual roots that are formed on special loops. Therefore, to plant a watermelon, you need to choose a spacious place, the size of which depends on the type of plant and the type of soil. For example, experts advise the following:
- If the crop is planted in several rows, then between them you need to leave an interval of 0.6 m to 1.6 m. The distance between in separate rows should not be less than 1.5 m.
- Using a square placement scheme, you need to leave at least 0.8 m and no more than 2.1 m between crops.
It is important to ensure that the plantings do not become too dense over time, since in this case the berries will lack nutrition, liquid and light.
Growing watermelon from seedlings
In Russian regions, in cold conditions, it is preferable to grow this berry using seedlings. From sowing in pots to planting watermelons in open ground, it takes from 20 to 40 days. For initial sowing, it is recommended to use small peat pots. They need to be filled with a special mixture of the following substances, taken in equal proportions:
- peat;
- turf soil;
- humus.
The seeds are placed in moist soil to a depth of 3-5 cm, and then covered with film until the first shoots appear. The temperature of the space under the polyethylene should be about 25 degrees.
After the sprouts appear, the seedlings are removed to a cool room. In the first 3-4 days you need to maintain a temperature of about 17 degrees, and then temperature regime can be increased again.
Watermelons need water room temperature, avoiding it getting on the sheets. A week after the discovery of seedlings root system plants need to be fertilized with phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers.
Due to the fact that melons love light and warmth, illuminated greenhouses are selected for watermelon seedlings. However, about 1.5 weeks before planting them in open soil, the plants need to be hardened using a special technology. For this purpose, the shoots are taken outside for several hours, after which the duration is increased. Planting on the beds can be done as early as late May or early June.
Selection of soil and site
To achieve excellent yields, a number of conditions must be met. To do this, you should prepare the place in advance:
- it must be sufficiently illuminated;
- protection from strong winds is required;
- the soil should be as nutritious as possible.
Loose, fertile and light soil is more suitable for watermelons. The best option -
sandy loam or sandy soil, saturated with humus and any other organic matter.
The predecessors of melons can be potatoes, tomatoes, radishes, cabbage and cruciferous vegetables. Before growing watermelons in open ground you need to properly nourish the soil and prepare the beds. For 1 m of furrow in mid-spring you need to add:
- 20 g of fertilizers containing calcium;
- 40 g superphosphate;
- 30 g ammonium sulfate.
The holes need to be moistened in advance. They need to be placed 1-1.6 m apart from each other, immersing peat cups inside. Then the furrow is mulched using sand mixture and protect from direct exposure sun rays. The same is done after the first shoots emerge (when growing early watermelons in open ground from seeds). Until the plants adapt to new conditions, they are watered with warm water.
Feeding and watering
It is impossible to grow a watermelon at home without providing it with proper fertilizer and sufficient watering. If it does not have enough moisture, then it is pointless to expect sweet and juicy fruits. However, it is also not recommended to be too zealous: otherwise, you won’t be able to get high-quality berries either. It’s better to stick to it before flowering moderate watering, and when the ovary is forming, slightly increase the water consumption.
Experienced gardeners advise using drip watering systems, which will provide the plants with regular and high-quality watering.
When growing watermelons in the country, you should remember that they prefer abundant but infrequent watering. The optimal degree of soil moisture is 85%. On sandstone, the furrows need to be moistened a little more often, and on loams and chernozem - a little less often. After the fruits are filled, they begin to ripen. During this period, watering should be gradually reduced and then stopped completely.
During the growth of vines on the plant, they need to be additionally fed by reducing the concentration of potassium and phosphorus-containing fertilizers. When the ovaries begin to form, each plant must be provided with the following substances:
- 30 g of potassium salts;
- 10 g of superphosphate and twice as much ammonium sulfate.
Reducing the dosage of fertilizers is due to the risk of accumulation harmful substances in berry pulp. In addition, such a measure will contribute to more active ripening of the fruit.
Features of care
To grow healthy and fruitful watermelons, they need to be provided with timely and proper care. It includes:
The soil under watermelons needs to be loosened not only immediately after planting them, but also after heavy rainfall and watering. This must be done until the leaves and lashes cover the voids between the bushes.
To protect lashes and branches from the wind, they can be secured with pins. You can also sprinkle problem areas moistened soil. If moisture often accumulates at the place where watermelons grow and there is no adequate lighting, then in this case special trellises are erected and, after the growth of the vines, the shoots are secured to strong supports installed vertically. A similar method will be useful if there is not a lot of space in the dacha.
When growing watermelon at home using a trellis, it is advisable to leave only one main vine. After the flowering period of the plant, from 4 to 7 berries may appear on it.
If there is a risk of cold weather, the plants need to be protected with a special film or cardboard sheets.
Harvest
The earliest varieties of watermelons in the central Russian regions can bear fruit only by the second half of August. At dachas, it is not customary to carry out mass harvesting, except in situations where the risk of frost is very high. Ripe berries are cut off as they ripen. warm time year. Determining their maturity is not difficult. To do this, you need to remember the following signs:
- dry tendrils and bracts at the base of the leaf;
- smooth stalk, without hairs;
- dull sound when tapping berries;
- the bark is dense with a glossy sheen.
It is recommended to take these signs into account as a whole and only after that start collecting watermelons, otherwise you can cut off the unripe fruits. But if watermelons will be transported or stored somewhere for a long time, then it is recommended to trim them 3-4 days before ripening, since they can ripen in rooms with sufficient temperature without losing their aroma, taste and beneficial qualities.
If the fruits are collected to obtain seeds, then you need to take them completely. ripe berries. Knowing how to plant watermelon at home, you can enjoy tasty and healthy berries every season.
Growing watermelons in open ground with seeds and seedlings
You can grow watermelons using seeds and seedlings. Of course, in order for good and tasty fruits to grow in the end, the planting technology must be performed correctly.
In addition, subsequent care of the plant largely affects the quality of ripened fruits. Therefore, it is best to familiarize yourself in advance with all the secrets of growing watermelons using seeds and seedlings.
Landing place
To grow watermelon, choose sandy or sandy loam soil. Its acidity should be 6-7 units.
Because watermelons heat-loving plant, the place for planting should be chosen as warm and sunny so that it is constantly warmed up. Planted in warm soil up to +12 +15 degrees.
Watermelons will grow well after the following crops:
- potato;
- cabbage;
- carrot;
- legumes.
Under no circumstances should you plant the plant in places where nightshade or melon crops previously grew, since these plants have common pests.
Important to know: It is recommended to prepare a site for watermelons in the fall; it needs to be dug and loosened. Then the berries will grow well on the dug up soil and give an excellent harvest.
Digging up the soil should be done together with rotted manure or humus. On 1 square meter apply the following amount of fertilizer - 5-6 kg of humus or rotted manure, superphosphate 50 grams, potassium salt 35 grams and ammonium sulfate 40 grams.
Sand is poured into the weighted soil - 2 buckets per 1 m2. It is not advisable to use fresh manure for fertilizer. When digging, all weeds and roots are removed, because watermelon does not like these unpleasant “neighbors”.
If further planting will be done under the film, then you should also purchase required material and cover the soil with them.
Planting a watermelon
There are two ways to plant watermelons:
1. Without seedlings.
To plant watermelons in open ground, you should choose cold-resistant seeds with a ripening period of 90 days. The varieties “Ogonyok”, “Gift to the North”, “Kholodok” are perfect.
Before planting, seeds should be soaked in water. The water temperature must be at least 50 degrees. It is necessary to soak until the seeds sprout.
Then they are planted in the soil. The soil should be warmed to +12 +15 degrees. They are usually planted in early May; by the time the seeds germinate, it will become warmer and the soil will be warmed by the sun.
After 8-10 days, the first shoots should appear. If the ground is cold, germination will take a long time, and eventually the seeds may die.
It is worth noting: be sure to pay attention to weather conditions before landing. If it is cool at the beginning of May, then planting should be postponed to the end of the month.
In order to grow good harvest, the following planting technology should be observed:
- each hole is filled with a mixture of ash, earth, humus and nitroammophos (1 teaspoon). Pour 1 tablespoon of the mixture onto the hole. This will help increase productivity in the future;
- then we plant the seeds in the soil to a depth of 6-9 cm;
- Sprinkle with humus to prevent a crust from forming on top. This crust can harm the sprouts when they reach the surface, and they will die.
Below, we invite you to watch a video on how to transplant watermelon seedlings into open ground:
2. Growing seedlings.
Seeds are planted for seedlings in late April - early May. It is advisable that the temperature in the room be maintained at +25 +30 degrees.
Seed germination begins at a temperature of + 17 degrees, but in order for them to grow and develop fruitfully, it is recommended to maintain at least 25 degrees during the daytime, and at night from +18 degrees. There is no need to pick seedlings.
Fertilizers should be added to the soil in which the seedlings grow. This will ensure rapid growth of sprouts. Over the entire period, the soil needs to be fertilized twice; mineral fertilizers are used as top dressing.
Important to remember: When planting, seedlings cannot be completely covered with soil. Sprouts should be left 3-4 cm on the surface.
The sprouts should not touch each other, otherwise they can be seriously damaged when planting. Therefore, you should watch the sprouts, and as they grow, the cups should be moved away. Sprouts ready for planting must have at least 3 leaves.
Seedlings are planted in the soil at the end of May or early June. Be sure to follow the planting technology. Germinated seedlings are planted in prepared beds to a depth of 9-11 cm.
One or two shoots are planted in the hole. If 2 shoots are planted in a hole, then they are separated on different sides so that their lashes do not intertwine.
Before planting, up to two kilograms of compost or humus are poured into the hole and filled with water. It should be planted in a mixture of soil and fertilizer, sprinkled with dry soil.
Care
In addition to planting, you need to follow the rules of care. The future harvest depends on proper care.
Care consists of the following actions:
1. Shelter. In order to accelerate the growth of the plant, you can use covering materials. The increased temperature is maintained under the film and due to this the plant begins to grow faster.
In addition, the fruits will appear 2-3 weeks earlier. The covering material will also provide protection from various pests. To cover with film, you can make low racks on the sides and put covering material on them. It should be removed in early June and preferably on a cloudy day, otherwise the plants may burn under the scorching sun.
2. Irrigation procedures. Since watermelon has a very powerful root system, which can go to a depth of more than 1 meter, it should not be watered very often. Once a week is enough. He gets the missing moisture from the ground himself.
3. Fertilizing the soil. The first feeding is done 7 days after planting seedlings or seeds. The next two are done at intervals of 2-3 weeks. For the first fertilizing, you can use the following fertilizers: a solution of ammonium nitrate, 20 grams per 10 liters of water. For subsequent fertilizing, it is best to use mineral fertilizers.
4. Work on the formation of bushes. The fruits are formed on the main stem. In order for them to ripen quickly, it is best to leave no more than 6 ovaries on the plant stem; it is recommended to remove the rest.
Also, do not forget about loosening the soil. Beds with watermelons should be loosened periodically. It is advisable to do this after rain or watering.
Overgrown lashes can be tied to special stands or lightly sprinkled with earth. This will protect them from the wind and speed up the growth of the fruit.
Harvest
Around August, fruit harvesting begins. Before cutting a watermelon, check it for ripeness. Typically, a ripe fruit has a glossy skin and a dried tail.
There are no hairs on the stalks. Usually, when you knock on the fruit, a dull sound is heard. All these signs are conditional, so it is recommended to use them together.
Growing watermelons is enough labor-intensive process, so it should be approached responsibly. Be sure to properly prepare the place for planting, first dig the soil and fertilize it with fertilizer.
Don't forget about further care behind the plant. Exactly from all the right technology cultivation depends on the future harvest.
We invite you to watch a video on how to properly plant watermelon seeds for seedlings:
Many people believe that watermelons require very painstaking care and special growing conditions. This is not entirely correct. Let's take a closer look at how to grow a watermelon on your own summer cottage.
How to plant watermelons: choose a place and prepare the soil
The place for planting watermelon should be on the south side, away from bushes, trees and fences - this crop will not bear fruit if it grows in the shade.
Sandy loam soil- most suitable option. It is very good if tomatoes, grain crops, corn or potatoes grew in this place the previous year.
As for the soil, you should remember that the root system of the watermelon goes quite deep into the ground, so you need to add a large amount of organic fertilizer to the soil before planting the watermelon, namely:
- Humus (about 2-3 kg per plant),
- Neutral peat (about 7 kg per 1 sq.m.).
Mineral fertilizers can also be used, the most commonly used are the following:
- Urea (30-40 g per 1 m2);
- Superphosphate (30 g per 1 m2);
- Potash fertilizers (20 g per 1 m2).
Exceeding the dosage of these substances will provoke abundant growth of greenery to the detriment of fetal growth, so you should strictly adhere to the recommended amount.
Choosing watermelon seeds
Watermelons are sorted into three types depending on the time of their ripening.
- Early ripening varieties, like Atlant, Au - producer, Borchansky, Borisfen, Gloria F1, Darunok, Crimson, Knyazhich, Ogonyok, Sugar Baby, Royal, Tulip, Orbiy f1 (usually in the form of seedlings).
- Mid-season varieties: Astrakhansky, Melitopolsky 60, New Year's, Ryasny, Snezhok, Sichelav, Tavriysky, Tselnolistny.
- Mid-late variety - Chill.
It is strongly recommended to warm the seeds well before planting. This can be done in artificial conditions: watermelon seeds are poured onto dry gauze and placed on a warm heating battery, over 4 hours the temperature should gradually increase from plus 15 to 50 degrees. Celsius. It is very important to constantly stir the seeds so that they heat evenly.
Under natural conditions, you can warm up the seeds by placing them in the open sun for 7-10 days.
Next, soak the watermelon seeds in a slightly warm solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes and wash 3-4 times. running water. Then the seeds are placed in gauze and left in a warm place where the temperature reaches plus 20-30 degrees. Celsius. We are waiting for the first seeds to begin to hatch.
How to plant a watermelon
Growing watermelon in open ground.
It is worth sowing watermelon seeds in open ground when 10% of total number the seeds will hatch.
Do not rush too much; it is very important that the soil on the site warms up to plus 12-14 degrees. Celsius at a depth of 10 cm (usually mid-April - May).
If the seeds do fall into soil that has not yet been properly warmed up, they will easily lose their germination capacity.
As watermelons grow, they form lash-stems from one to 2 meters long, so they should be planted at an appropriate distance from each other. And in the rows make an indent of 60-80 cm, respectively.
If the soil is very dry, before planting, pour 2 liters of water into each hole (10-12 cm), then lightly sprinkle the hole with soil so that its depth reaches only 4 cm.
So, we planted watermelons. It is very important to place “beacons” in the form of sticks that mark the rows, so that long before the first shoots appear, you can cultivate the soil and do weeding.
During the period of abundant foliage growth, it is necessary to fertilize watermelons. For 10 sq m you will need the following solution:
- 10 liters of water,
- Ammonium nitrate or urea - 150 g,
- Granulated superphosphate - 60 g,
- Potassium salt - 50 gr.
Fertilizing should be done immediately after rains.
- Avoid fertilizers during fruit ripening to protect them from cracking and deterioration in transportability.
- If you want to speed up the ripening process and increase the amount of harvest, try covering the planted watermelons with agrofibre, and then making holes for the sprouted seeds. Agrofibre is left on the surface of the earth until the end of the plant’s growing season, then carefully removed.
- Watermelons should be watered strictly once every 7 days, so as not to provoke the formation of rot.
- Yellowed parts of the plant should be removed promptly.
An alternative way to grow watermelons
It also happens that climatic conditions and area country beds do not give us the opportunity to grow a watermelon without preliminary preparation.
When to plant watermelon seedlings?
You can plant watermelons as seedlings, and after 20 days plant them in a greenhouse or open ground.
It is worth remembering that all pumpkin plants do not tolerate transplantation well, so they should be planted in fairly large containers so that they can be transplanted together with a large number land.
So, pots measuring 8*8*8 cm and other containers available on hand are quite suitable for seedlings.
Cooking universal mixture for landing. Mix humus, peat and turf soil in a ratio of 2:1:1. Next, add 300 g of superphosphate and 100 g of wood ash to the resulting mixture per 10 kg of mixture. Divide the mixture into pots and water it 3 days before planting the seeds.
Watermelon seedlings should be planted at the end of April; in this case, after 20-25 days they will be ready for transplanting into a greenhouse or open ground.
We try to maintain the soil temperature in the pots at least 15 degrees, it is also required good lighting, approximately 15 hours a day.
Watering is carried out at the request of the plant - when the soil is almost dry, otherwise there is a possibility that the seedlings will deteriorate due to high humidity and development of blackleg.
Feeding seedlings in pots
For 10 liters of water you will need:
- Ammonium nitrate - 20 g,
- Superphosphate - 35 g,
- Potassium sulfate or chloride - 30 gr.
Fertilizing is done 3-4 days before planting watermelons in the ground; we use 1 cup of fertilizer (250 ml) for each pot.
When the average daily air temperature has reached 11-12 degrees, we transplant the watermelons into a greenhouse or open ground.
- Carefully loosen the soil before planting.
- The distance between seedlings in rows is 30-40cm, between rows - 60-70cm.
- It is advisable to plant watermelons in the evening so that they do not dry out.
- The holes are pre-watered with water.
- After planting, it is recommended to tightly close the greenhouse, thereby increasing the chance of good seedling survival.
- If you planted watermelons in open ground, you can create a greenhouse effect using improvised means - cut a plastic bottle in half and cover each part with 1 seedling.
- During the first week, you will have to water the seedlings every other day, pouring 0.5 liters of water under each plant. If it's very hot outside, try to water your watermelons daily.
- After 7-10 days, watermelons begin to grow quickly, it’s time to feed and reduce the amount of watering - 1-2 times a week is enough.
- Try to get rid of yellowed parts of the plant in a timely manner.
Caring for the ripening harvest
The harvest begins to ripen in August. It is very important to turn the watermelons over once a week with the bottom side facing the sun - this way they will ripen evenly.
If the weather is humid, try to place small planks under the watermelons to prevent the crop from rotting.
Stop watering the plants only 3-4 days before the expected harvest. The idea that watermelons will be tasteless due to excess moisture is a fiction. For a watermelon to be truly tasty and ripe, it needs a lot of sun and water!
Bottom line
Perhaps, we have considered all the main points that you should know about when growing watermelons in your dacha. Your efforts will definitely be rewarded, and you will certainly get a good harvest of watermelons!
A long vine, with carved leaves and hanging, huge fruits by home standards - this is what a watermelon might look like at home . It is usually grown in summer, when there is plenty of light and warmth. And today, growing a watermelon at home on a windowsill is not at all a fantasy, because when proper care you can get a decent harvest. How to grow watermelon at home - read the article.
Conditions for growing watermelon
How the watermelon will grow and whether it will produce edible fruits depends on the choice of soil, fertilizing, watering, temperature and light conditions and the choice of location.
Place
It is preferable to grow watermelon on the south side. The more sun the better. Direct sunlight is only good for him.
The ideal place at home would be a warm, sunny loggia or balcony. You can plant plants on southern, western and eastern windows; northern windows are absolutely not suitable for them.
In fact, growing a watermelon on the balcony is not so difficult, you just need to comply with the necessary conditions.
Light
Daylight hours for successful cultivation watermelon is 12–14 hours. In the evenings, LED, fluorescent lighting or phytolamps are turned on. On cloudy days, the lamps are left on all day.
Temperature
Watermelons are grown at high temperatures 25-30 °C during the day and not lower than 18 °C at night. It is especially necessary to monitor the thermometer during the formation of the ovary.
Watering
Regarding watering, the opinions of plant growers differ greatly. Some prefer regular and even abundant watering, others speak of severely limiting it and stopping it completely during ripening, citing the fact that water is not needed to increase sugar content. In any case, the seedlings are watered in the usual way, and watering a plant in the second stage of its life depends on a number of conditions, including experience.
Plant soil and fertilizers
The soil is prepared loose and fertile with a neutral reaction: 1 part each turf land, sand, humus, plus one tenth of ground wood ash. To disinfect the soil, steam it in a water bath for 1.5–2 hours, keep it in microwave oven 10-20 minutes, pour boiling water over it.
Fertilizing begins when the plant has 3 true leaves. Plants are watered with water and then with complex mineral fertilizers(Kemira and others), diluted according to instructions. The ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in them at this stage may well be shifted towards nitrogen, but it is better that they are equal. At the stage of ovary formation, they are fed again - there should be more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. After 2-3 weeks - the third time.
Planting watermelon seeds
Not all watermelons growing in open ground are suitable for growing at home. There are varieties that bear fruit indoors, such as Ogonyok, Crimson Sweet, Ultra Early, Sugar Baby, Sibiryak, Gift of the Sun, Kai F1, Cinderella, Gift to the North F1. They have good taste, do not need a lot of light, are early ripening, and disease resistant.
The seeds of these varieties have good germination and if they are purchased from trusted suppliers and trademark is reliable, then almost everything will germinate. Before planting, they are kept for 10–15 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate at a temperature of 50–55 °C. Then they are placed in a damp cloth (sand, etc.) until they hatch, after which they are planted 2 in seedling cups, burying them 2 cm into the soil. You can plant them directly in the cups.
An interesting, but optional, technique is stratification when germinating seeds in a humid environment, stimulating processes in the seed: they are kept for 12 hours on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator at a temperature of +6°C, then another 12 hours at room temperature. Repeat the process 2-3 times.
Growing watermelon seedlings
2 weeks after the sprouts appear, weak shoots are discarded and one of the strongest ones is left in each glass.
It is undesirable to plant watermelon seeds immediately in large containers: a large mass of undeveloped soil easily turns sour, and the seedlings may die. Replanted after a month, the plants are moved to permanent place together with a lump of earth, in order not to injure the roots.
Seedlings can be planted in open ground and get a good harvest in the garden. Pre-hardening: for a week, take the seedlings out into the open air for a short time every day.
Watermelon growing process
After transplanting the seedlings into pots, rapid root growth begins. It grows long, with well-developed lateral roots, so choose large containers - 5–15 liters.
Pinching is done over 3-4 leaves, the side branches are directed vertically or sent horizontally. They can also be grown with one vine; in this case, flowers and fruits will appear faster.
Flowering (after 30–50 days) and fruiting of watermelon depends on the variety, which can be early-ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening. It is interesting that, depending on the timing of flowering, flowers appear in different leaf axils: in early ripening ones - in 4-11 leaf axils, with an average period - in 15-18, late ones - in 20-25. You can grow any variety at home, but given the heat-loving and light-loving nature, preference is given to early varieties.
Flowers are pollinated to produce fruit. artificially. Watermelon has 2 types of flowers - male and female, which appear on both the main and side shoots. Male flowers (developed stamens, thin stalk) pollinate female flowers (developed pistil, thick stalk) and wait for the fruit to set. The enlargement of the female flower stalk means that the small watermelon has begun to grow. When the lashes are arranged vertically, it becomes necessary to attach it to prevent breakage.
You should not leave more than 2 watermelons on the branches in the house if you want to enjoy the delicious pulp. The shoots are pinched after the formation of the fruit so that the forces are spent on its ripening, and not on growth.
From planting to the end of the growing season, an average of 3 months passes. It is difficult to grow a fruit larger than 1 kg at home. Wait until the watermelon is ripe and it may taste qualities will be superior to purchased ones. Let us remember that a ripe fruit has a glossy bark, a dried stalk, and no hairs. When knocking, a ringing sound is heard.
But even if you follow all the care rules, there is no guarantee that you can get a large watermelon on your windowsill or balcony. And yet, growing such exotic plant will bring a lot of pleasure and new growing skills unique plants at home.
Bakhcha is given an honorable warm place on the dacha plot. Sunny melons and round-sided watermelons bring indescribable pleasure to adult eaters and gourmet little ones. The kids are ready to enjoy the juicy pulp of watermelons from morning to evening, to the envy of the intrusive wasps and hardworking bees. If previously it was believed that watermelon was an exclusively southern berry, now more than 200 varieties and hybrids are adapted for cultivation in various climatic regions of our country. A fruit grown in a spacious open field, has more chances to score required weight and the necessary taste than its dacha relative. The plant is held by its tendrils by the stable stems of weeds, which, in turn, protects the watermelon vines from tangling. When planting watermelons on personal plot take into account the availability of the necessary free space and do not overdo it with weeding.
Sow watermelon seeds in open ground
Much to the chagrin of amateur melon growers, growing a wonderful harvest ripe watermelons quite difficult. Especially when it comes to areas with unsuitable climatic conditions. Even the most careful care will not be able to provide the berries with juicy, ripe pulp if the summer is not hot and long enough. Of course, a good owner will not let such a harvest go to waste - lightly salted watermelons are still a delicacy. But a well-ripened, fragrant fruit picked from its garden can be endlessly crushed by both cheeks from morning to evening.
The watermelons are ripe - the family is delighted
Preparing seeds for sowing in open ground
It is advisable to choose a place for sowing watermelon seeds in the fall. Excellent predecessors for them are onions and potatoes. It’s not bad if there were cabbage or legumes in the garden before. Young sprouts do not like fresh organic fertilizers, therefore, beds with half-rotted manure or compost are prepared in the fall. Minerals(ash, dolomite flour) are also introduced at this time of year.
Watermelon seeds are difficult to germinate, especially if germination energy is low. I bubble mine with an aquarium compressor; you can scarify it to break the seed coat, that is, file the end of the seed with a file or nail file. And t should be 23o - 27oC.
Fech Evgeniy
Choose seeds for sowing that are hardy and early ripening. Two different varieties should not be placed nearby to avoid cross-pollination.
Before planting, you need to properly prepare the seed:
Sowing seeds in the ground
Immediately before sowing watermelon seeds, the land prepared for melons is cultivated with a cultivator. Holes with a meter diameter are formed, the distance between the holes is from 1 to 2 meters. From 5 to 10 seeds are placed in each hole to a depth of 4–5 cm. At the time of sowing, the soil should be warmed to 13–15 o C. Each hole is watered with warm, settled water and mulched with peat.
Watermelons do not tolerate crowding
After the seeds sprout and get a little stronger, 2 plants are left in the hole. The rest are removed or transplanted to free space suitable for ripening watermelons.
After germination, leave two plants per hole
Don’t be lazy to re-sow the seeds in a week. If for some reason the first seedlings die, the second approach will certainly be more successful.
Watermelon seeds are sown in farmers' fields in various ways: tape, square, rectangular or square-nested.
Video: how to sow watermelon seeds in open ground
Photo gallery: watermelon varieties for cold regions
The variety is unpretentious and disease resistant 
Watermelons of the Ogonyok variety ripen in 60–70 days 
Variety Kholodok is well resistant to low temperatures, suitable for Siberia
Scheme of planting watermelon seedlings in open ground
Seeds for seedlings are prepared in the same way as for planting in the ground. They can be sown in plastic trays or cups, but it is best to use peat pots. Land for seedlings is mixed in equal proportions with sand and peat. Place 2 seeds in a pot (glass or tray) on moist soil and sprinkle with dry soil. In this state, the pots are placed in a well-lit, warm place. It takes 40–45 days from sowing the seeds to planting the seedlings.
Before planting in the ground, seedlings need to be hardened off in the open air.
Seedlings are planted in the ground at the end of May or the first ten days of June, depending on climatic conditions And geographical location region. Some recommendations for planting watermelon seedlings in open ground:
After planting, the seedlings are watered daily with settled warm water for a week and slightly covered from direct sunlight. Fortified seedlings are watered abundantly, but not too often. During the period of ripening of berries, watering is stopped completely so that the fruits gain sugar content and do not have a watery taste.
It is necessary to water infrequently, but a lot (10 liters per root). The most important thing is to ensure complete drying at least 2 weeks before removal. Only then will the watermelons be sweet. No watering of the watermelons themselves or the plants growing nearby.
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Rich harvest sugar watermelons will delight summer residents and their children
Video: planting watermelons in open ground
Little tricks for planting watermelons
Weather conditions are not always helpful in such a painstaking task as growing melons. Cold and short summers in some regions mean that the harvest rarely pleases even the diligent vegetable grower. Watermelons simply do not have time to gain sufficient weight and reach a state of absolute maturity. And even in this case, do not despair. There are little tricks with which the fruits will become a real pride even on 5-6 acres of personal land.
Choosing the right landing site
Lungs sandy soils are an ideal springboard for growing a hefty watermelon. But the main thing in cool summer conditions is choosing a sunny place.
Watermelons prefer a sunny place
The selection of such a site initially provides for the complete absence of spreading bushes and shade-forming trees. But if there is excess solar radiation at the time of ripening, take care of covering the fat bellies in order to avoid significant overheating. Old newspapers or large leaves burdock.
Shelter in two stages
For successful ripening, seeds are sown in open ground a little earlier than expected - not at the end of May, but in its first ten days. But in a cold climate zone, tender sprouts risk dying from frost. This is where a little trick comes in handy - double cover. At the liter plastic bottle cut the bottom and install it on the plant.
A one and a half liter bottle can be cut in half
On top liter bottle In the same way, install a 5-liter container with the bottom cut off.
Cut the bottom of a large bottle and place a liter bottle on top
In such a nesting doll, the delicate stem has enough air and warmth, and is also well protected from cold and winds. Securely fix the transparent mini-greenhouse with earth or sand.
Magic tablet
Watermelon is a finicky berry; it does not like excessive dampness. In cool climates, dampness leads to rotting of fruits and even stems. To improve ripening conditions, pour 3-4 handfuls of sand onto the root part of the main stem, and place protective wooden or plastic boards under the fruits. Thus, your green couch potatoes will not come into contact with wet soil, and the percentage of crop damage from rot will be significantly reduced.
A wooden plank will protect the watermelon from rot.
Thoughtful watering
In arid areas, the root system of watermelons tends to depth to saturate the plant with moisture. However, in the northern regions groundwater often pass close to ground level and cause a lot of trouble for the roots: as soon as the roots reach an excess amount of moisture, they rot, and the plant may die entirely. In this case, force the root system to develop not in breadth, but in depth. To do this, water the plant not at the root, but between the rows. Water only when necessary and do not forget about timely loosening and mulching of the soil.
Try to water watermelons not at the root
Side vine trimming
The carrier of female flowers in watermelons is the main central vine. To prevent the plant from wasting energy on side branches, it is preferable to remove them. At the same time, leave no more than 5 fruit ovaries on each central branch.
Remove the side branches of the plant, and the forces will be transferred to the ripening of the fruits
Listening to these simple tips, you can surprise your dacha neighbors and your loved ones even in conditions that are not very favorable for growing melons.
We can talk endlessly about the benefits of ripened watermelon: thiamine and riboflavin, niacin and other elements of B-group vitamins, ascorbic acid and carotene protect the body from age-related metamorphoses and resist cancer. But the presence of folic acid is invaluable - a fighter of the invisible front and a tireless builder of DNA and ribonucleic acid cells. Dietary fiber and microelements normalize metabolism, cleanse the kidneys, liver, blood vessels, and normalize cholesterol in the blood. At the same time, one should not forget about the ability to accumulate nitrates and cause allergic reactions. However, growing your own watermelon will allow you to avoid such troubles and will bring you a sea of positive emotions from enjoying the magical taste of the juicy fruit.
