Effective methods of growing watermelons in open ground. Growing watermelons in open ground Proper planting of watermelons with seeds in open ground

If you have long dreamed of growing watermelons on your own in a country house or garden in the open field, but did not know where to start, then this article should definitely help you! A minimum of rules and a little patience - and the work will be rewarded!

The content of the article:

A lot has been said about: sweet juicy fruits are indicated for diseases of the heart and blood vessels, kidneys, liver, salt metabolism disorders, obesity and many other ailments. It is the richest source of potassium, magnesium, iron, folic acid, vitamins, acids and pectin substances. However, many are simply afraid to buy watermelons for fear of being poisoned by them. It's no secret to anyone that unscrupulous entrepreneurs growers increase the dose of pesticides and fertilizers in order to get more high yield. Naturally, natural is much healthier and safer for our health.

Watermelons are very demanding on heat and light; it is not for nothing that they are considered one of the most heat-loving crops. Seeds will germinate at a temperature of at least 15 degrees, and temperature norm for flowering, a value from plus 18 to 20 ° C (in the morning) and up to 25 degrees - in the daytime will be considered. As soon as the daytime temperature drops below 20 ° C, plant growth will slow down. Choose seeds not early maturing varieties, but also not characterized by long maturation. Many summer residents praise the varieties of watermelons Ogonyok and Sugar Baby. They differ from other varieties of watermelons with an average size of 4–6 kg and a dark green color without clearly defined lines, the flesh is dark red, and the stones are black.

Watermelon is drought-resistant due to a well-developed, powerful root system, but at the same time it does not tolerate shading.

Growing watermelons: what soils are suitable

For growing watermelon, sandy loamy soils are suitable, warming up in the sun and protected from strong winds. Absolutely unsuitable is too moist land, with a heavy mechanical composition and characterized by being close to ground water. The best option- neutral or alkaline soil, but not sour, where very small fruits will grow, which will have time to crack while still green. Change planting sites every year - this is good for the soil: on next year instead of watermelons, it is better to plant corn or wheat.

Before planting, the seeds should be soaked in water at a temperature of 50 ° C until they peck. After that, they are sown in open ground at a soil temperature of 12 to 14 ° C (end of the first decade of May). By the time of germination, it will already warm up to 18 ° C.
The first shoots will appear after 8-10 days, which will be considered the norm. If the ground is still cold, then the germination time increases, and the seedlings may simply die. This can also lead to the development of pathogenic flora in seedlings, which will further adversely affect their development during the growing season.

Hence the conclusion: with unsuitable natural conditions the sowing date of seeds is transferred to the third decade of May.

Each hole should be filled with ash (1 tablespoon) mixed with earth, humus and nitroammophos (1 teaspoon). In the future, this will increase yields by about 20%. The seeding depth is 5-8 cm. After sowing, mulch the soil surface with humus so that a crust does not appear, which can harm the seedlings when they emerge to the surface.

To accelerate the growth of watermelon, various shelters are used: from simple individual ones to group film ones. At the same time, even simple shelters film increase the temperature, thereby accelerating ripening by two to three weeks. In addition, with the help of such devices, you will protect plants from pests such as bugs.

You can arrange tunnel shelters with frames made of vines or wire rod. They are removed, as a rule, in early June, on a cloudy day, so that the plants cannot “burn out” under scorching sun. Otherwise, they will weaken or become a source of infection for mass melons.

As for pollination, when grown under a film, it is carried out manually. To attract bees next to watermelons, you can plant honey plants or spray melons weak solution honey or sugar.

During the cultivation of watermelons under the film, they are watered as they dry. After removing the shelters, watering should be stopped. In open ground, watering stops with the beginning of fruit set.

AT further care comes down to breaking through seedlings, loosening, weeding the soil, destroying weeds and top dressing. Don't let it thicken! Melons are very photophilous, so if you want to grow a large and sweet watermelon in open ground - remember that only one plant should remain in the hole - try to keep 1 sq. meter had no more than three landings.

The watermelon comes from areas of South Africa with high temperatures and low humidity. The culture is thermophilic and drought-resistant, it needs light in in large numbers. Shade and cloudy weather will not allow the watermelon to develop normally and give a good harvest. But still, these berries are grown not only in the south, but also in more northern regions.

Features of planting watermelons in open ground

Before planting watermelons in the garden, you need to prepare the land, seeds and familiarize yourself with the rules of cultivation.

Site preparation

The soil for watermelons should be light and fertile, virgin sandy loamy chernozem is preferred. On the clay soils they grow worse.

It is undesirable to plant watermelons after legumes, cabbage. It is good if earlier there were tomatoes, onions, rye or winter wheat on the site.

It is also necessary to apply mineral fertilizers per 1 sq. m:

• 30 g of urea or ammonium nitrate;
• 30 g of superphosphate;
• 20 g of potash fertilizers.

Excess fertilizing is harmful: greens grow better than fruits, and nitrates accumulate in watermelons.

Seed selection

First you need to choose a variety that matches the climate of the region. AT middle lane it could be Fire, Sugar Baby, Crimson Sweet.

Watermelon seeds are various shapes, sizes and colors

1. Warm the seeds in the sun for a week or dip them in a gauze bag in hot (50–60 ° C) water for 5–10 minutes.
2. For disinfection, hold them in a pink solution of potassium permanganate (with a concentration of 0.5-1%) for about 20 minutes, rinse and dry natural way. For getting good harvest can be soaked in a solution of trace elements - manganese, boron, molybdenum - with a concentration of 0.05% for 16 hours.
3. With a seedless method of sowing after warming up in hot water the seeds are dipped in a solution of Zircon or Cytovit (1 ampoule per 2 liters of water). When they swell, you can sow.
4. To speed up germination, the seeds are germinated. To do this, they need to be wrapped in a wet cloth, put in a warm place with a temperature of + 20–25 ° C and constantly moistened, preventing drying out. Shoot several times a day upper layer for ventilation. When sprouts appear, seeds can be sown immediately in the ground or on seedlings.

Sowing seeds in open ground

Watermelons should be sown in the ground, warmed up to + 12–14ºC, 10 cm deep. In cold soil, they may not sprout or suffer from pests. Usually sowing is done in late April-early May, but in each region you need to focus on climatic conditions.

Watermelon seeds in the open field germinate within 5-7 days with good quality and warm soil. If the earth is not warm enough, seedlings may be delayed for 2 weeks.

The main thing is that, as the plantings grow, they do not turn out to be overly thickened and that all the berries that have started have enough light, moisture and nutrition.

The distance between the rows is made at least 1 m, since the plants have long lashes and they can stretch up to 1.5–2 meters. The depth of the hole is 5–8 centimeters.

5-6 seeds are placed in one hole to ensure germination. If everyone breaks through, choose one, the strongest plant.

Planting watermelon seedlings

In regions with a short summer, watermelon seedlings are grown. Seeds are sown a month before planting, that is, if heat is established in the region at the end of May, then seedlings are planted at the end of April.

Germinated seeds are placed in cups with soil, watered with warm water and covered with glass or polyethylene to create greenhouse conditions. Shoots appear on the 3-5th day.

Seedlings need to be provided with a favorable regime: a temperature of + 20–25ºC and lighting, natural or artificial, for 10 hours a day, no less.

After two weeks, the plants are fed with a water-soluble complex fertilizer, organics do not need to be applied. Watering should be plentiful, but not frequent, twice a week is enough. Be sure to loosen the soil.

Soil for seedlings of watermelons - a mixture consisting of humus, soddy soil and river sand

Within 7 days before planting, it is necessary to harden the plants: take them out to Fresh air at first for 2-3 hours, then gradually increase the time. On the eve, you need to water the seedlings well and spray them with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture. Seedlings should have at least 4 leaves. Plants are transplanted into the garden very carefully, along with an earthen clod.

In order to grow high-quality fruits, it is necessary to observe the agricultural technology of their cultivation, performing the main activities:

1. Periodic weeding and loosening the earth around the bushes.
2. Regular watering.
3. Top dressing.
4. Pinching shoots.
5. Treatment for diseases and pests.

Bush formation

When the bushes grow and several apple-sized fruits are formed, they begin to form. Side lashes cut off, leaving 2 watermelons on each, pinch the main one so as to save 2 leaves after the fruit.

The formation of a watermelon should be carried out on a dry sunny day - then the cut point will dry out faster

The cut parts are not pulled out so as not to damage the plant and ovaries. They dry quickly and do not interfere with the development of watermelon.

How to form a watermelon lash - video

Growing watermelons on trellises

In the southern regions, watermelons do not require a garter, they are grown on the ground. Here they receive enough light and heat, are not susceptible to diseases.

In more northern regions with a humid climate, tapestries are sometimes used. This is done if there is a risk of moisture stagnation on the site or there is not enough space and light. In the north, small-fruited varieties are usually grown. They can be tied to a trellis, like cucumbers.

Fruits that reach the size of an apple or more are hung in nets that hang from the trellis.

What is done for the trellis device:

1. On both sides of the beds, stakes with a height of at least one and a half meters are installed, a rope is pulled between them. If necessary, increase the number of stakes.
2. Others are tied to this rope, descending to the bushes. They serve as a support for the vine and determine its direction.
3. The lowered rope must be attached to the stem of the plant or to the ground.
4. The grown berries are placed in nets and tied separately to the trellis so that they do not fall under the influence of their weight.

Watermelons from the moment of sowing need constant care. They need to be loosened, watered, fertilized, protected from pests and diseases.

Weeding

Row spacing begins to be loosened even before germination. To know the location of the holes, lighthouse crops are sown in them, which will germinate earlier: radish, lettuce and others. When watermelon shoots appear, they are removed along with weeds.

Weeding should be carried out several times during the growing season.

Watering

It is necessary to regularly water the plants during the period of growth of leaves and stems, setting and formation of fruits. This is done as the soil dries up, no more than 1 time per week. During fruit ripening, watering is undesirable, as it can lead to cracking and deterioration of taste.

There will be no severe harm from the lack of watering, the plant is drought-resistant, and its roots penetrate to a depth of more than 1 meter.

Watering should be stopped when the fruits become glossy. During the growth period they are matte.

Melon growers are advised to remove the fruit only 15–20 days after it has ceased to increase in size.

fertilizers

Top dressing is carried out at the beginning of the formation of lashes of plants, before rain or watering. For 10 sq. m must be entered:

• 150 g of ammonium nitrate or urea;
• 150 g of powder or 60 g of double granular superphosphate;
• 50 g of potassium salt.

Subsequent top dressing is carried out during the period of flowering and mass fruit set. With a weak development of plants, you can feed them with slurry. For its manufacture, the container is filled with manure by a third, topped up with water until it is full and mixed. One part of the slurry is diluted in 10 liters of water. Consumption of solution for 1 plant - 1 liter.

Treatment of watermelons from diseases and pests

Preservation of watermelon during the growth period involves the use of both agrotechnical measures protection, and chemicals.

Agrotechnical protection measures

They consist in strict compliance with the requirements for sowing and growing plants:

1. Compliance with crop rotation: the return of melons to their original place no earlier than after 5 years.
2. Seed treatment and dressing 1–2 months before sowing.
3. Location of landings on well-lit and warmed-up lungs sandy soils. Do not use heavy clay soils for watermelons.
4. Deep plowing and sowing seeds at optimal times.
5. Application of mineral fertilizers and trace elements.
6. Constant fight against weeds, prevention of thickening of plants.
7. Refrain from excessive soil moisture, frequent watering.

Chemical methods of protection

For the treatment of plants, the following preparations are used:

• Karatan FN 57, 18.25% s. n. to combat powdery mildew. Consumption rate for a concentration of 0.1%: 0.8–1 kg/ha. Spraying is carried out three times a season, in last time 20 days before harvest;
• Fentiuram for processing before sowing at the rate of 3 g of powder per 1 kg of seeds mixed with flour paste. This will get rid of the sprout fly;
• Bazudin is applied to the soil during sowing to destroy wireworms;
• BI-58 is used for spraying sprouts against mites;
• Fitoverm is used against aphids and thrips;
• Sherpa, 25% a.e. effective for combating winter and field scoops. Consumption - 0.24–0.32 l / ha, process 20 days before harvesting;
• Decis, 2.5% a.e. (the consumption rate of the drug is 0.25–0.5 l / ha) is taken for spraying plants in the germination phase against cutworms. If necessary, during the flowering period, another processing is performed.

Prevention of diseases of watermelons - video

Cultivation in the regions

Each corner of the country has its own climatic features. The timing of planting, the need to use only local varieties, the method of arranging the beds depend on this.

Ukraine

The south of Ukraine is a fertile place for growing watermelons in the open field. They take root in any soil, if they are not loose and not acidic. Fertilizers are applied to increase fertility.

The cultivation of watermelons in Ukraine begins in late April-early May, the most late deadline- middle of June.

Strong winds in southern Ukraine can damage whips. To avoid this, grooves are made, the stem is laid in them and sprinkled with earth, leaving the ends of the lashes free.

Variety Krasen - Ukrainian early ripening watermelon with a smooth black-green surface and tender juicy pulp

Varieties and hybrids of local selection are grown here:

• early ripe:
  • Charivnyk,
  • Orpheus,
  • Kakhovskiy,
  • Krasen,
  • F1 debut,
  • Wound F1.
• mid-season:
  • Alliance,
  • Knyazhich,
  • Kherson.
• late ripening:
  • Sunrise,
  • Snowball.

Transbaikalia

Summer residents have been growing watermelons in Transbaikalia for more than 20 years. Seeds of early ripening watermelons are used:

• Light;
• Sugar baby;
• Watermelon is ultra-early.

These varieties are medium-sized - 1.5–2 kg.

In mid-April, they begin to grow seedlings of watermelons in peat cups. On the permanent place they are planted when 3-4 leaves appear, when the soil warms up well. Usually it is the end of May.

How to make watermelons take root in open ground:

1. A week before planting, seedlings are hardened, leaving for a few minutes, then for several hours a day on the street at a temperature of + 15–17 ° C.
2. Under the watermelons make a high bed.
3. Holes are dug in it, where they put dry grass for insulation, then compost, sand, fertilizer or ash.
4. Watered with warm water with potassium permanganate and planted seedlings with a clod of earth.
5. Arcs are made above the bed and covering material is laid.

To protect against pests and diseases, plantings are sprayed with an infusion of garlic or nettle, which can be alternated.

From below, the bed is heated from decaying residues, and from above, heat is retained thanks to the covering material.

Kuban

The warm climate of the Kuban allows you to sow seeds directly into the ground. Planting dates are from late April to late May, depending on the variety. Harvested after the 20th of June.

In dry years, local watermelons can suffer from spider mite. If lesions are found, they are treated with acaricides 2-3 times with a weekly interval.

They try to harvest watermelons in the Kuban before the first night frosts come

Bashkiria

In Bashkiria, there is also experience in growing watermelons, although the region is located north of the Moscow region and the climate is colder here. Morning frosts can last until June, but watermelons are planted in May, protecting with covering material. Experienced gardeners sand is poured under the whip so that the fruits do not rot. In Bashkiria, it is recommended to plant only early varieties so that the crop does not die from the early onset of cold weather:

• Sorento F1;
• Earthling;
• Crimson Sweet;
• Top Gun F1;
• Kai F1.

First, seedlings are grown in cups, and then they are planted in warm soil. You can sow immediately with seeds in the ground, but then it is necessary to mulch the ground and cover the plantings with a film, which is cut when 2–3 leaves appear at the seedling sites.

For insulation, arcs are installed above the bed, a thermal sleeve is laid in the middle (a sleeve based on fiberglass coated with heat-resistant silicone), filled with water, and covered with agrotex on top.

Lovers of sweet and juicy berries are trying to plant it in various parts of the country. And not without success! So, do not be afraid, but you should at least try to grow a watermelon in your area. We hope that the experiment will be successful!

Watermelon is delicious and useful berry, which pleases children and adults with its juicy pulp. You can grow watermelon in central Russia. This melon culture is very thermophilic, however, in order to grow large and sweet fruits, you need to observe a lot of nuances. So, let's talk about everything in order.

Where to grow watermelons

A place for growing watermelons must be selected very carefully. It should be a sunny area without trees or shade. Watermelons grow best in sandy and sandy loamy soils, because watermelon roots penetrate deep into the soil to absorb moisture and fill with sweetness. That is why the soil for growing watermelons should not be clayey and dense. To make the soil more porous, it is first dug (since autumn). The acidity of the soil of the selected area should not exceed 6.5-7 units.

It is best to choose the soil for planting in which crops such as onions, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, beans, wheat grew. You should not grow gourds two years in a row in the same area. The soil is pre-cleaned of weeds, watermelon does not like extraneous vegetation.

When to grow watermelons

If the summer turns out to be cold, no tricks will help grow juicy and sweet fruit. But if there are many sunny and hot days in a year, be prepared for a good harvest. It is best to start planting watermelons at the end of May, when the soil is already sufficiently warmed up by the sun. If you decide to plant seedlings, then the seeds can be planted in cups in early May. However the last word anyway, the weather. If in the first decade of May the heat did not come, you should not rush into landing.

How to prepare seeds for planting watermelons

Consider two main ways of planting watermelons - seedling and seedless.

Watermelon has very dense and hard seeds that must be soaked beforehand. To do this, pour the seeds warm water and leave for half an hour. Those seeds that have surfaced after the specified time are not suitable for planting - we immediately remove them. After that, you need to cover the container with a plastic bag and leave it in a warm place (under direct sunbeams). It turns out an imitation of a greenhouse. It is best if the temperature in the mini-greenhouse does not fall below 25-30 degrees during the day, and below 20 degrees at night.

When the seeds hatch, they can be planted in a cup. This is usually done in late April or early May. Cups need to be chosen large enough so that the root system is spacious. Watermelon does not tolerate root damage. The soil for planting must be mixed with humus and mineral fertilizers. In the process of growing seedlings, you need to feed the sprouts with fertilizers several more times. Two seeds are usually planted in one cup, with the expectation that suddenly some will not germinate. If both sprouts grow, they are then separated.

Seedlings for planting are ready when the sprout gains at least three healthy leaves. Planting seedlings takes place in loosened soil, fertilized with compost. Watermelon seedlings should be planted at a distance of at least 20 cm from each other. If two sprouts are planted in one hole, you need to turn them so that they grow in different sides. Seedlings should not be planted too deep into the ground - the recesses should not exceed 10 cm. The leaves of the sprouts must remain on the surface. After planting, the sprouts should be poured with plenty of warm water so that they start better.

A seedless way to plant watermelons
If warm enough days have already come, you can plant watermelons without seedling way. To do this, they, just as in the previous planting method, must be soaked in warm water and leave the seeds to germinate. When small sprouted sprouts appear, you can bypass the stage of planting sprouts in cups and sow the seeds directly into the soil. I would like to note once again that a reckless method of planting watermelons is feasible only if the long-term weather forecast does not portend cold weather.

Seeds should be planted in holes at a distance of 20-25 cm, 2 seeds per hole. To get a good harvest, you can prepare the following mixture. Mix soil, ash and humus in a ratio of one to one. Add a few tablespoons to the mixture mineral fertilizer nitroamophoska. In each well, before planting the sprouts, lay out one tablespoon of the prepared mixture. Place watermelon seeds on top of the mixture, and then sprinkle with humus. This is done so that the top layer of soil is not covered with a crust. As it was said, watermelon loves loose soil, and the sprout simply cannot break through a thick crust.

Although watermelon is considered a fairly unpretentious crop, in order to get a good harvest, you need to follow some aspects in caring for watermelon.

1. Imitation of a greenhouse. Until the sprouts have grown stronger, you need to cover them with a covering material. This will allow them to gain strength and bear fruit for several weeks. ahead of schedule. To create such a small greenhouse, stick small sticks on the sides of the beds and cover with a dense plastic wrap. Keep the greenhouse until the end of June. It is better to shoot film on a gloomy day when there is no sun. This will allow the plants to adapt better. If you remove the film on a sunny day, the sprouts can simply burn out.
2. Watering. Watermelon does not like over watering as it feeds inland waters. It has a powerful root system that takes water from the lower layers of the soil when needed. But the plant should not be overdried, otherwise the fruits will not differ in juiciness. The optimal frequency of watering is once or twice a week.
3. Fertilizers. A week after planting the seeds, they need to be fed. ammonium nitrate. To prepare the solution, you need to dilute 20 grams of the substance in ten liters of water. After the first feeding, watermelons should be fertilized every three weeks, using the usual mineral complex. Along with fertilizers, you need to constantly hill the soil. Watermelon vitally needs loose soil. In general, gardeners advise walking less near the holes and not compacting the ground. Especially, in the intervals between planted sprouts. root system watermelon is quite sprawling, but also quite fragile. Stepping on loose soil near the hole, you can damage the root of the plant.
4. Molding. This is an important part of caring for a watermelon planting. If the whips are very long, they can be tied to posts or nailed with earth so that they are not damaged by the wind. In a month, ovaries will begin to form. When they become the size of a large plum, you need to leave only the largest - a few pieces. This is called pinching. This procedure is carried out for the following purpose. When a plant has many fruits, it expends its energy on each fruit. Thus, we will get a lot of unripe and small fruits. To get good and tasty fruits, you need to remove a few ovaries at the very beginning of their growth. Usually no more than 5-6 watermelon fruits are left from one bush. Moreover, on one lash there should not be more than two ovaries.

In the second half of summer, when watermelons begin to ripen, they can be carefully turned from one side to the other every 10 days. This will allow them to quickly gain flavor and juice. If the soil under the watermelons rots, you need to put small planks under the fruits to reduce the area of ​​\u200b\u200bcontact between the watermelon and the ground.

When to Harvest

Harvested in August. To understand that a watermelon is ripe, you need to carefully consider it. Ripe fruits are distinguished by a shiny skin, as well as a dry tail. Peduncle at ripe watermelon not hairy. If you knock on a watermelon, a ripe fruit gives out a characteristic dull sound, by which experienced gardeners understand - it's time to harvest!

In watermelon-rich years, about 10 plants can be grown from six holes. About 40 fruits grow and ripen from them. different size and weight. At proper care and a sufficient amount of light and moisture, 90% of them ripen completely.

What could be tastier and more enjoyable than enjoying a watermelon grown by yourself? Follow all the rules of planting, care and feeding in order to grow a rich crop of watermelons in your summer cottage!

Video: how to grow a watermelon in the open field

Juicy, sweet, red watermelon from my garden. This is not a dream, but a reality, even if the garden is not in southern climate and does not resemble melon. There is a way to get real tasty watermelons in the middle lane and even in the northern regions. Secrets of success - right choice varieties and cultivation of seedlings.

It's no secret that in the South, watermelons are sown directly into the ground of melons. There they grow and mature hot earth, under the hot sun, are poured with sweet juice. To ripen, watermelon needs a lot of sun over a long period. Therefore, in our climate, the plant does not have enough sunny warm days. But this is if you choose the wrong variety, intended for the southern regions. Today, everywhere you can find on sale seeds of zoned varieties designed specifically for your region. These are the ones that need to be sown.

Advice! Watermelons should not be sown in the ground, but on seedlings. By growing seedlings in a room, you will give your plants a head start and provide them with more heat and sun for successful maturation.

When choosing a variety, you should also give preference hybrid varieties. Their advantage is that they are characterized by precocity, are immune to diseases, and are resistant to various climatic conditions. This means that even if the summer turns out to be cold and rainy, the hybrid will have enough time to grow to the desired size, ripen and acquire the sugar content required for the variety.

Growing seedlings of watermelons

Watermelon seedlings are what you need for a summer cottage. With the seedling method of growing, you can get a crop of fully mature watermelons 15-20 days earlier. This method works even in the northern regions, where it is not possible to grow watermelon in a seedless way.

Advice! Don't chase size. It is better to grow in our climate varieties with medium-sized fruits, but characterized by increased sugar content. Choose also thin-skinned species - they will ripen faster.

How to cook watermelon seeds

To prepare for sowing watermelon seeds with them it is necessary to make several manipulations. They must first be calibrated. After calibration, scarification is carried out. Then warming up and disinfection.

Stages of preparing seeds for sowing

Stage	Description
Calibration	To do this, all available seeds are poured onto a horizontal surface and laid out in piles, depending on the size - large, medium, small. Do not rush to reject small specimens - everything will go to work. Calibrated seeds will be planted in different seedling containers. This will increase their germination - the larger ones will not clog the small ones, the seedlings will begin to grow together and evenly. Seedlings from small seeds will begin fruiting a little later
Scarification	The procedure is optional but recommended. It is enough to rub the "nose" of each seed with fine sandpaper to facilitate the sprout's exit to the surface.
warming up	Next, the seeds are heated in hot clean water(+50° С) half an hour. For watermelon, this procedure is required.
Disinfection	After warming up, it will be useful to carry out a twenty-minute disinfection in a one percent solution of potassium permanganate
Drying	The seeds are then dried in vivo(not on the battery and not with a hair dryer) and sown

To increase germination and reduce the time, seeds can be germinated. To do this, after warming up and disinfection, they are wrapped in a moistened cloth and placed on a saucer or tray closer to the heat source (battery, heater). The temperature can be up to + 35 ... + 40 ° C. Just make sure that the cloth does not dry out and the seeds remain wet.

What should be the soil and container for watermelon seedlings

You can grow the best watermelon seedlings on humus or peat-humus soil. The soil is mixed from these two components in equal proportions. If there is no peat, you can make a mixture of the following composition: three parts of humus and one part sod land. Let's say another option for a fertile soil mixture: 3 parts of peat, 1 part of small sawdust, ½ part of mullein diluted with water 1 to 4. At the end of the preparation of any soil, superphosphate must be added to it - 1 tsp. and wood ash - 2 tbsp. per 1 kg of mixture.

Container for growing watermelon seedlings it is taken 12 cm high and 10 cm in diameter. The culture is grown in individual pots, since it is not subject to picking.

Seedling containers are filled 4/5, leaving about three centimeters to the edge of the pot. The soil is well moistened.

Sowing watermelon seeds

Since 30-35-day-old seedlings with four leaves are already ready for planting, it makes no sense to sow watermelon seeds before the end of March. Let's sow seedlings during the whole April and in the first half of May.

Properly prepared seeds are sown two in one pot. Of the pair, one will definitely be stronger, and the second will be weaker (if both ascend). A weak sprout must be removed, and a strong one should be left.

Sowing depth - 3 cm. Cover the seeds with peat, water. Pots with crops are placed tightly in a row on the southern windowsill, making sure that cold from the glass does not penetrate to them.

Seedling Care

Future watermelons, in order to hatch from a seed, need real heat - up to + 30 ° C. Shoots may appear as early as the sixth day.

1. The temperature immediately needs to be reduced to + 18 ° C. The sprouts are given 3-4 days to finally look out of the soil, then the weak ones are removed and the temperature is raised again to + 20 ... + 25 ° C. At night, the room should not be higher than + 18 ... + 20 ° C. This mode is maintained for three weeks before the start of hardening.
2. Watermelons need intense light, otherwise the seedlings will stretch and deform. Additional lighting will be required, even in March - April, especially if the seedlings do not grow on the south window. Ordinary fluorescent lamps will do.
3. Watering watermelon seedlings can be done only with water at room temperature. Water moderately, only the soil, without falling on the leaves. Watermelons, like all seedlings, with excessive zeal with moisture, are prone to a black leg, from which the plants will not be saved.
4. Seedlings need fresh air, so you should regularly ventilate the room, avoiding drafts.
5. 10-12 days after germination - the first top dressing. It is best to use fermented mullein in a ratio of 1:10 with water.
6. The next top dressing is in two weeks. In it, to the mullein, 15 g of ammonium sulfate, 30 g of potassium sulfate and 50 g of superphosphate per liter are added.

Hardening must be done a week before disembarkation. Gradually, day after day, reduce the temperature in the room by 2-3 degrees, gradually reducing watering. Before planting in the ground for two days, watermelon seedlings must be taken out to the balcony or to the street (to the greenhouse). On the evening before planting, the seedlings must be well watered and sprayed with a one percent solution of Bordeaux mixture. Landing should be done in the morning, carefully removing each plant along with a lump from the pot and placing it in a separate hole. Holes are formed at a distance of 40-60 cm from each other. Seedlings are planted with four leaves and developed roots, deepening to cotyledon leaves. The holes are covered with peat, watered. Watermelons do not like frequent watering; the soil should be moistened deeply and abundantly, but not more than once a week. Around the plants it is necessary to weed the weeds and loosen the soil.

Growing watermelon in our climate is no more difficult than zucchini, pumpkin, cucumber. Agricultural practices are similar. The problem of lack of sunny days can be easily solved by seedling cultivation. If there is no melon on your site yet, start growing gourds from watermelons.

Video - Growing watermelon seedlings

Originally from Africa, this summer berry was known to the ancient Romans and Egyptians thousands of years ago. It has been popular for its diuretic properties. medicine. Watermelons are grown on adjoining plots, in the country, in the fields and farm enterprises. It is important to know that planting watermelons, like other plants, has different ways: 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 agrotechnological rules can destroy the plant even before the flowering stage. How to plant watermelons 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 milestone in growing this plant. After all, this is the environment in which the plant will develop until fruiting. But first you need to say a few words about the selection and preparation of seed. Initially, choose the right variety or hybrid that suits your climate. Hybrids are usually already treated with fungicides, so they do not need the seed preparation method described below.

Before sowing, place watermelon seeds in cheesecloth and dip in a warm solution of potassium permanganate. Place this container in a plastic bag and place it in a room 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.

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

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

• in autumn it is better to enrich the soil with compost so that it is fruitful next year;
• before planting in the ground for watermelons, it is worth adding potash, phosphate top dressings 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 excellent for growing this plant in areas with short and not very hot summers. For planting watermelons by seedling method, you need to select high-quality seeds early hybrids. Keep in mind that after germination, seedlings cannot be planted for another 25 days. Bones should be sown in April. How to plant seeds for watermelon seedlings? For seedlings of watermelons, special peat or plastic cups are used, in which one seed is planted.

Soil for watermelons can be purchased at the store or made by yourself. 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. Deepen the seed a couple of centimeters into the moistened earthen mixture. Place the cups under the foil. After the emergence of shoots, 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. Seedlings must be constantly monitored. After 5-7 days, remove weak shoots. One and a half weeks after germination, you can feed the seedlings. Dilute mullein, superphosphate, ammonium nitrate in water and carefully water the plant. Do not get the solution on the leaves.

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

Growing from seed

In the southern regions, the plant is planted in open ground with seeds. How to plant watermelons in this way and when is it usually sown? Planted in advance prepared good seeds into the ground 10 cm deep. When landing, the temperature of the earth should be at least 14 degrees. When planting watermelons in the ground, pay attention to its structure. If it is sandy soil, then seeds can be buried by 8–10 cm, and if it is solid, then by 4–6 cm.

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

Landing in open ground

When you see that the seedlings have grown stronger, 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, calm area. If, nevertheless, the place is windy, you can plant watermelons behind a "fence" of corn. Then prepare the ground for the new plant by using organic fertilizers.

People often ask at what distance to plant watermelons? Recommend to adhere the following parameters: between plants there should be a distance not less than a meter. They are usually planted in a checkerboard pattern - standard scheme planting watermelons. Place the seedlings in the holes and tamp down with soil, leaving shoots with leaves on the surface. When all individuals are planted, water each one generously.

Planting and care in the open field include not complicated, but basic actions:

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

Store and transport harvested crop also need with right approach whatever the volume. First, you need to understand how resistant your variety is to transportation 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 good ventilation system. Cover the bottom with dry moss or sawdust. Constantly monitor watermelons, their condition.

Planting in a greenhouse

How to plant a watermelon at home if the climate is cold? It can be easily grown in a greenhouse. But then the question is: how to plant a watermelon in a greenhouse?

According to this algorithm, you can properly plant watermelons and care for them:

1. Seeds are planted in containers until the sprout appears. Land for watermelons can be taken specialized.
2. The soil for transplanting is being prepared known way- adding organic fertilizers to the soil.
3. Seedlings are placed in pits at a distance of 70–80 cm.
4. Get a couple of bees in the greenhouse for better pollination.
5. Cut off excess shoots.
6. Fertilize with mullein or liquid manure.
7. July-August is harvest time.

Video "How to grow watermelons"

From this video you will learn how to grow watermelons the right way.