Growing Watermelons In The Open Field. Part 2

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Adults and children love watermelons. You can get a good harvest of juicy watermelons without greenhouses, growing them in the open field. You need to know some subtleties

A seedless way to grow watermelons in the open field

For growing watermelons with seeds in the open field, experienced gardeners use little tricks. To get a high yield, take fresh seeds, as small watermelons usually grow from last year's seeds, and a huge number of barren flowers are formed on the lash.

If you decide to plant watermelons in Siberia, then first warm up a bag of seeds in the sun for ten days. After this procedure, fill the seeds with hot water for thirty minutes. Seeds that float are not suitable for planting. After the water has cooled, drain it and fill the seeds with warm water again and wait for pecking.

Dry the sprouted seeds and plant them based on the temperature of the soil. The optimum earth temperature is 16 degrees. Add sand, compost, ash and humus to the hole before sowing. Seeds are planted to a depth of 6 - 8 cm, at the rate of 10 seeds per meter, there is a possibility that not all seeds will sprout. For good germination, the presence of heat and the absence of rain is important; to create these conditions, cover the planting with a film. After 7 days, the first young plants will appear. When you see five real leaves, huddle by gently loosening the soil.

Watermelon care

When growing watermelons, be prepared to provide them with a large area that is protected from the winds. Watermelons are quite freedom-loving climbing plants that grow in the garden. To grow a truly delicious watermelon, remove the whips in your bosoms throughout the summer. Leave 2 - 6 ovaries, cut off the rest mercilessly, otherwise they will simply drain the plant. For abundant pollination, sprinkle the flowering watermelons with a sweetish water solution. This method will attract large numbers of bees and other insects. Of all vegetable crops, watermelon is the most drought-resistant plant; it is capable of extracting moisture at great depths with its developed root system.

Watermelon needs water throughout the growing season. Use only warm water for watering. Water young shoots at the root, avoiding water getting on the leaves. In the process of plant growth, watering should be reduced to once a week, but during flowering, increase. Stop watering the crop during fruiting. But do not refuse to feed at this moment, use superphosphate and potassium sulfate at the rate of 1 tablespoon per bucket of water or ammonium nitrate solution (20 g of the drug per 10 l).

During heavy rains, cover the watermelons with glass or build a plastic shelter. You can put foil or nonwoven material under the plant to avoid damage to the fruit due to excess moisture and wireworm. And when you see that the fruit is poured, place an ordinary brick under it, it will accumulate heat, which will have a beneficial effect on the ripening of the watermelon. Large weeds can play a grateful role in the development of melons and gourds. Ambrosia or shiritsa will cover watermelons from the scorching sun.

Turn the fruit over from time to time to keep the melons ripening evenly.

Methods for growing watermelons in the open field

The first method: growing watermelons using a trellis. This method is similar to growing cucumbers, only in this case, choose a powerful trellis, because it will hold an impressive weight. We begin to tie up the plant when the watermelon lash lays down, at the same time we pinch the side stems. After tying 4 - 6 watermelons, you can pinch the top of your head. To make watering easier, make a groove along the garden bed and dig in the cut plastic bottle with the lid facing down. Pour water into the bottle and provide moderate watering for the plant. As the ovary grows, place it in the net and tie it with a strong twine to the trellis. Make sure that the net wraps around the watermelon and supports it, otherwise the stalk will break off.

Second way: using non-woven fabric. The seeds that have hatched are sown in three pieces on a black canvas, where cross-shaped cuts are made at a distance of 60 - 70 cm. Agrotechnics and the formation of lashes are the same as in the first version.

Collection of watermelons

Already in August, you can enjoy the fragrant pulp of the watermelon. The ripeness of the culture is determined by the characteristic color of the variety, glossy surface, drying of the bracts, and the absence of hairs on the stalk. When tapping on a ripe watermelon, a dull sound is heard.