Important tips for growing watermelon
Content:
Growing a watermelon: a place to plant
The selection of a place for growing a watermelon is an important detail. The soil must be determined (sandy or, in extreme cases, sandy loam which is prepared in autumn. Preparation consists in thorough digging). On this area, where your watermelon will grow in the future, the rays of the sun should fall as much as possible. During planting and further growth of watermelon, provide it with "loneliness", that is, other plants should not grow nearby, let alone weeds.
Growing a watermelon: the right time
Much depends on nature. Summer should be successful, that is, hot and sunny. Planting begins when the soil is already warmed up enough. It's around the end of May
Seed preparation
There are two ways. Seedling and non-seedling.
Seedling. The main thing here is to start by soaking the seeds in warm water. This is not a long process and will take about 30 minutes. The seeds should not float, otherwise it follows that the seeds are spoiled. It is advisable to leave the container in the sun while soaking and cover.
You can take out the seeds only when they hatch. After that, they can be transplanted into a container with earth. The time for this procedure is approximately April-May.
While the seeds are in a container with soil, they need to be fed.
The next transplant can be done when there are at least two leaves on the sprout. The deepening should be a maximum of 10 cm. The main thing is to finish correctly. The final point will be watering the seedlings with warm water.
Without seedlings. Prepare the holes in advance, between which there will be a distance of 25 cm. Designed only for warm weather. We start in the same way as in the seedling method, soak the seeds. We are waiting for the seeds to hatch, after this stage we no longer transplant into a container with earth, but immediately into the ground. But pay attention to the weather. It should be warm, no cold.
On the seeds laid in the holes, humus should be poured.
Care
Young sprouts must be covered on top. You can even make a mini greenhouse. Stick the pegs into the ground on the sides and pull the fabric on top. This mini building should stand until June. For better acclimatization and adaptation, it is recommended to "release" sprouts on a not hot, cloudy day.
It is difficult to find the necessary watering for a watermelon. It should not be watered too often and not too infrequently. It will be enough to water several times a week.
Many people may have a question, if watering is not so simple, then what to do with fertilization? It is necessary to feed with ammonium nitrate. After such replenishment, you can get by with fertilizers with a mineral composition. Remember to loosen the soil. Give this no small importance.
In the case when the lashes of the watermelon reach large sizes, they can begin to be tied. Watch out for the appearance of the tie. Many remove and leave only a few, the largest ones. This is done because the plant cannot provide all the fruits with nutrients. And you should leave the largest ovaries capable of life.
When your watermelons begin to grow, they can be turned over, but the main thing is to rarely do this.
Watch out, if the ground begins to rot under the fruit, you must immediately reduce the contact between the ground and the fruit. This can be done by placing a plank under a young watermelon.
Harvest
This process takes place in August. After a thorough examination, you should observe a dry ponytail and shiny skin.As a last resort, tap on the watermelon. A dull sound, a sign of the ripeness of the watermelon.