How to plant watermelons in open ground. Effective methods of growing watermelons in open ground

Watermelon- heat-loving berry of the gourd family. At proper care you will get delicious, sweet and juicy fruits. Watermelons from the markets can be dangerous for the body, they often contain a lot of nitrates, unsweetened and of poor quality. Most The best way getting healthy and sweet watermelons is to grow them yourself in the garden.

In the article, we will analyze in detail the right place for growing, site preparation, plant care technology from planting seeds to harvesting.

Site selection and preparation

The landing site must be sunny, away from trees and bushes, located with warmth, south side preferably sheltered from strong winds.

The soil should not be dense and clay, neutral or alkaline. The best option is sandy soil.

Cabbage, legumes are the best predecessor in the garden. Change the planting sites of watermelons every year - this is good for the soil.

Where the weather allows, watermelons are planted in open ground with seeds, preheated in hot (50 degrees) water for about 10 minutes, then germinated in a humid environment (napkins moistened with water between seeds, etc.) until they hatch. The soil should be 12-14 degrees (mid or late May) at the time of sowing.

In regions with short summer, watermelons are grown from seedlings.

To do this, they buy or select from their own, high-quality seeds suitable for this region. Choose from early hybrids.

It should be noted that the seedlings will be transplanted into open ground 25 days after germination. Germination of seeds will take up to 10 days (usually 3-7). Considering these indicators, plan the sowing of seeds.

If the seeds are planted in mid-April, watermelon seedlings can be transplanted in mid-May.

Watermelon seedlings do not take root well, so each plant is planted separately. Watermelon seeds are sown in individual cups measuring 10 x 10 or 12 x 12 cm. These can be either peat or plastic cups.

You can make the soil yourself or buy a ready-made mixture in a specialized store.

The soil is made independently like this: humus, soil, peat and river sand mixed in equal proportions. You also need to add 0.5 kg to them wood ash for every 20 kg of soil mixture.

Soak watermelon seeds for 12 hours in warm water with the addition of potassium permanganate. 2 seeds are planted in each pot, deepening by 2 cm. The soil must be moist.

Cover the pots together with a film, after the emergence of shoots, remove.

Pots with sprouts are placed on the windowsill on the south side. Optimum temperature in the room 24 °C. A week after germination, remove weak sprouts.

For normal growth, add lighting in the morning and evening hours. Watering is carried out with warm water (25 ° C) every other day.

10 days after germination, plants are fed: dilute 1 part of mullein in 10 parts of water, add 1 tbsp. l. superphosphate and 2 tsp. ammonium nitrate. 10 days after transplanting plants into open ground, a second top dressing is done.

Important: when watering plants with water with fertilizers, it should not get on the leaves, this can cause a burn.

Before planting seedlings in open ground, it is hardened: intensive watering decreases, the temperature gradually decreases, airing is carried out. Three days before transplanting, watering should be stopped.

When 5 main leaves appear on the plants, the seedlings can be transplanted. Remember that the soil should be warmed up to 12-14 degrees, no less.

Seedlings are planted in holes prepared in the ground. The planting scheme is as follows: between the dimples 50-70 cm, between the rows 2-2.5 m. Carefully with the ground, we remove the seedlings from the pot and plant them in the dimples, fill them with soil in a circle and water abundantly. For better rooting, you can cover with spunbond at night.

Planting watermelon seedlings - video

If you are going to grow watermelon under a film, then the seeds can be sown in March. When planting seedlings from pots under the film, the temperature of the soil under the film should be at least 12 degrees. Best time transplantation under the film mid and end of April.

The film should be two-layer, it is first stretched along the pits. The first layer of the film is laid on the ground, holes are made 8-10 cm long for plants. For the second layer, an arc is installed, a film is laid down and fixed on top.

The first layer warms the soil, retains moisture, and prevents the growth of weeds. For growing seedlings under the film, uniform drip irrigation is needed.

During the growth of seedlings, the second layer of the film must be lifted, allowing free growth. With the establishment of warm, sunny days, the film is removed.

7-10 days after planting the seedlings, fertilize it with a solution of 30 g of ammonium sulfate, 20 g of potassium salt, 50 g of superphosphate diluted in 10 liters of water, fertilize no more than 2 liters per plant.

Plants are watered with settled water once a week (depending on weather conditions).

2 weeks before the ripening of the first fruits, feeding is stopped.

When the 5th leaf is formed on the plants, the growth point is removed (pinching is performed). After the appearance of the first ovaries, the largest berry is left, the rest are cut off.

One plant should not have more than 6 fruits. After the place of formation of the berry, 4 leaves are counted, the rest is plucked off.

A high yield of watermelons depends on high-quality and timely pollination of plants, therefore, when grown indoors, at the time of flowering, the film must be opened. Otherwise, you will have to pollinate yourself, applying male flowers to women's.

Be careful when watering, do not touch the plants, otherwise diseases and pests will appear. Gourds are heavily exposed to pests and diseases.

Powdery mildew, fusarium, olive blotch, bacteriosis, anthracnose processed with colloidal sulfur, Bordeaux liquid.

Pests such as wireworm, melon aphid, spider mite damage and cause death of the plant. Use Karbofos, Keltan, Phosphamide to fight them.

The best prevention for the occurrence of diseases and pests is the removal of weeds from the beds with watermelons.

By mid-August, a massive harvest of watermelons begins. How to identify and choose the right ripe berries?

Main features:

the tendril of the watermelon should dry completely;

watermelon stops growing, the top layer becomes shiny;

a yellow earthen spot is located on the side on which the watermelon lay;

makes a dull sound when tapped;

when squeezed, a slight crackling of the pulp is heard;

A ripe watermelon does not sink in water.

Growing watermelons - video

In conclusion, I will say that every gardener can grow a watermelon, as a result you will get large, tasty berries, even growing in open field, the main thing is to use simple advice that you found on the page.

The most delicious is the watermelon that grew in the garden and was nourished by the sun, greenhouse fruits they don't have that kind of taste. That is why gardeners tend to grow watermelons in the open field, but not everyone succeeds.

Planting watermelon seeds in open ground

There are many issues associated with growing watermelons, but the most important of them is seed preparation and planting methods.

Watermelon seeds do not germinate well, as they are covered with a dense shell. Without pre-treatment of seeds, seedlings may not appear. Primarily, experienced gardeners seeds are calibrated, for this they are dipped in a strong saline solution. All heavy seeds will sink to the bottom of the tank, and they are used for further cultivation. Light seeds are unsuitable for planting.

Shortly before planting, the seeds are processed and disinfected, placed in a hot solution, then placed in a cold environment. The water temperature should not exceed 55°C. The solution is prepared from potassium permanganate, then the seeds are washed in clean water.

Planting watermelon seeds in a seedless way

After processing, the seeds are planted on the beds, this is done only in regions with a mild climate. Best of all, the seeds germinate at a soil temperature of 12-15 ° C, so they start planting in early spring.

The depth of seed placement depends entirely on soil structure and seed size. On light and loose soils, it ranges from 4 to 8 cm, on heavy soils - no more than 6 cm. Moreover, small seeds are sown in shallow grooves or holes, while larger ones are planted deeper.

Landing is carried out according to one of the schemes:

Ordinary method. Between the bushes leave from 70 to 150 cm, between rows of at least 1.5 m.

Square nest. Bushes are planted at a distance of 70 to 210 cm.

For normal growth and development, the fruits need a lot of sun, plantings should not be thickened. In addition, it will protect plants from possible diseases and pests.

Another advantage of such a sparse landing is the abundance of food. The point is that every fruit must get enough nutrients. With thickened plantings, nutritional deficiencies occur.

Growing watermelons through seedlings

If the spring is long and cold, then it is better to plant prepared seedlings in the open ground after the heat is established. The whole process takes from 20 to 35 days, it all depends on the variety chosen.

For cultivation, a loose nutrient mixture is prepared, which consists of peat, humus and soddy soil. The depth of planting in cups is only 3-4 cm. Watermelon seeds are large, so they are immediately planted in separate containers so as not to injure the taproot with frequent transplants.

After planting, the containers are placed in a greenhouse until shoots appear. During this period, the temperature in the room is maintained at the level of 20-25°C, at night it is allowed to drop to 18°C. After the appearance of sprouts, the containers are removed to a colder place for 4 days to prevent stretching. The temperature is maintained at the same level - 17-18°C, further the seedlings are grown at a temperature of 20°C.

Caring for seedlings Special attention turn to irrigation. They should not be plentiful, but you do not need to keep the sprouts dry. Water the plants only with warm water, trying not to get on the tender leaves.

The first feeding is carried out a week after the emergence of shoots. Use complex mineral mixtures for seedlings or melons.

Shortly before the intended planting in the ground, the plants are hardened. To do this, they are briefly taken out into the street, gradually increasing the residence time. Seedlings are planted from mid-May to early June.

How to choose a site for growing watermelons in open ground

A place for growing is chosen taking into account all the features of melons.

The site should be well lit throughout the day, be protected from cold winds and drafts.

Watermelons grow best in light soil, so take care of its condition in advance.

Since autumn, the beds are enriched with organic matter, humus or manure is introduced. In the spring, the place is dug up, weeds are removed.

Mineral fertilizers are applied under plowing:

Ammonium sulfate - 25 gr;

Superphosphate - 40 gr;

Potassium - 15 gr.

Plants are planted on prepared beds according to any of the above schemes. At first, the bushes shade from the scorching sun.

Features of growing and caring for watermelons in the open field

Watermelons are relatively undemanding crops, but without minimal care to get good harvest fruits will not work. First of all, plants need watering, which carry out in a specific pattern:

Before the appearance of flowers, water sparingly;

Abundant during fruit set;

During the ripening period, reduce to a minimum and completely stop.

This technology allows you to grow juicy fruits with sugar pulp.

The frequency of watering also depends on the soil on which the crop is grown. On sandy soil, they are watered more often, and on chernozems and clay soils somewhat less frequently.

Another important point when growing watermelons in open ground is top dressing. Feed three times per season:

10 days after planting seedlings or germination;

During the flowering period;

During the formation of ovaries.

Mineral fertilizers with a low nitrogen content are used for top dressing, which reduces the risk of nitrate accumulation in fruits.

In addition, the main care for watermelons consists of the following procedures:

Loosening the soil to a depth of 7 cm;

Weed removal;

Whip protection from winds;

Pest and disease control.

After each watering or rain, the soil is carefully loosened, weeds are removed until the lashes between the bushes occupy all the free space. To protect the whips from the wind, they are pinned to the ground and sprinkled.

Problems when growing watermelons in open ground

If the site gets wet from moisture or there is not enough light and space for growing, then vertical supports can be installed. They must be strong to withstand the load of the growing fetus. Only one main lash is left on the plant, on which up to 3-4 fruits are allowed.

If frosts are expected, then plantings should be covered with cardboard or covering material.

Wet weather can encourage aphids and fungal diseases. Regularly inspect the bushes, if necessary, carry out preventive spraying with a solution of garlic, tobacco dust or ash. At mass defeat apply chemicals.

When to pick watermelons

How to determine the ripeness of a crop so as not to collect an unripe fruit? Experienced gardeners rely on the timing of planting and the duration of the growing season, for example, early varieties produce a crop in mid-August. Bulk crops are not harvested, but only selected ripe fruit. They can be distinguished by their characteristic features:

The crust is shiny, smooth and dense;

When tapping, a dull sound;

Dry stalk and bract.

If the berry is planned to be transported to the place of storage, then it is better to collect the unripe one. They mature in storage.

At first glance, a heat-loving crop seems undemanding to top dressing and soil composition. It is enough to water abundantly and destroy weeds in time, and other factors that can affect the result determine the climate of the area and the weather. But experience shows that watermelon will not be sweet and juicy if it is not properly cared for. The main thing for a plant is sunlight, watering and caring hands, without which you cannot get a good harvest. If you do not neglect the rules for planting and growing watermelons, then at the end of July it will already be possible to enjoy juicy, tasty berries.

How to care for watermelons

The climate of central Russia allows you to grow a heat-loving crop in open ground. Watermelons ripen perfectly Astrakhan region, in the Crimea and the Caucasus, in the Central Black Earth and Primorye. If you plan to plant watermelons in a harsh climate, then you will need to install a heated greenhouse in advance to prevent the grown seedlings from freezing when return frosts. This option is suitable for gardeners in Siberia and the Urals. In Central Russia, early and mid-early varieties are grown, as well as hybrid, unpretentious and cold-resistant.

Useful tips from experienced gardeners:

1. First you need to choose a watermelon variety suitable for the climate, the seedlings of which, if necessary, will endure spring frosts.
2. It is important to choose the site correctly, as the culture is planted in light sandy soil, without lumps and stagnant moisture.
3. Be sure to decide in advance on the landing site, protected from the winds, and prepare the upper fertile layer.

The plot for future watermelon beds is dug up manually or “under the plow”, taking care of fertility. To do this, a layer of chicken manure or cow manure is first spread over the surface of the soil. Plowed fertilizer should "settle", so the beds are left alone for 2-3 days.

This time is just right for preparing the selected seed for planting. Seeds are dipped in warm water, where potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) is added. Chemical substance at the tip of a knife, dilute in one liter of water and leave watermelon seeds in this solution for 30 minutes for disinfection.

For disinfection, the seeds are placed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes.

Sometimes the seeds are hardened by lowering the temperature. The seed in a wet napkin is placed in the refrigerator for three days, maintaining the required level of humidity. The procedure guarantees the germination of seeds in difficult weather conditions and the resistance of seedlings to cold.

The germination process is as follows: after rejecting the defective material, the seeds are placed in a damp cloth for a day and left at room temperature. Such a manipulation wakes up the sprouts that have fallen asleep in the winter, allowing them to hatch a little. Now everything is ready for landing.

Watermelon seedling care at home

Melons germinate well in plastic and paper cups or in peat tablets- it all depends on the financial capabilities of the gardener. To grow strong seedlings, it is necessary to prepare peat humus, which is mixed with manure in a ratio of 1: 0.2 and wood ash is added (3-4 cups per 10-liter bucket). The resulting fertile mixture is compacted in a container for planting seeds and sprinkled with sandy soil or turf. To improve drainage, sawdust is poured into the bottom of the cups.

The germinated seeds are lowered into the prepared substrate to a depth of 2–4 cm, sprinkled and lightly crushed, then watered moderately and wait for germination. Be sure to ensure that the surface of the soil does not dry out and does not crack. To avoid this, it is enough to spray the surface warm water from a spray bottle and maintain the required temperature - up to +26–28 °C, lowering at night to +18 °C.

There is an opinion that a seed planted sideways in the substrate germinates better.

On the fourth or fifth day, the first shoots appear, which require close attention. After 10-14 days, when young watermelons rise and get stronger, they are watered once a day under the root and once every three weeks they are fed with tincture of bird droppings or mullein in a ratio of 1:10.

A week before transplanting, young shoots of watermelon need to be hardened off.

Be sure to monitor the lighting so that the sprouts do not stretch, and maintain humidity within 70%. Excess moisture does not benefit, therefore, both watering and spraying should be moderate.

A week before transplanting, grown plants are hardened off. To do this, increase the ventilation of the room where the seedlings stand. If there is enough time and effort, young watermelons are taken out to the balcony or street for several hours. This allows melons to adapt to outdoor temperature and humidity.

How to care for watermelons outdoors

When the May frosts are behind, gardeners prepare a plot on which the predecessors were legumes or potatoes. Gourds feel good on sandy soils and light loams. 30-35 days after sowing, in the 3-leaf phase, healthy young watermelons on a strong thick leg are selected and transplanted into abundantly watered beds. This procedure is carried out when a constant is established on the street. average temperature+15 °C to +20 °C and the danger of frost has passed.

Landing pattern:

1. The prepared hole, about 10 cm deep, is fertilized with rotted manure and mulched.
2. The beds are staggered at a distance of 1.5–2 m from each other.
3. 2-3 bushes are planted scattered in one hole.
4. Plants are planted next to corn or potatoes on a flat area, as the moisture will leave on the slope, and the melon will wither and stop growing.

Video: planting watermelon seedlings in open ground

Plants require sunny weather and abundant watering. Watermelons do not dive at the beginning of the growing season, they are planted immediately in a permanent place. Removal malicious weeds, weeding and periodic top dressing will provide fast development and abundant flowering melons.

In July, watermelons fade, and the first fruit ovaries appear

The grown lashes are sprinkled with soil to form additional roots, so that the plant becomes more powerful and strong.

How to care for watermelons in a greenhouse

Most amateur gardeners in the northern regions of our country grow an exotic crop in polycarbonate greenhouses. To get a harvest in difficult weather conditions, it is recommended to plant early varieties of watermelons, which you can grow yourself from seedlings or buy from experienced gardeners an already hardened culture in the 3-leaf phase.

At the time of planting in the greenhouse, it is necessary to maintain a constant temperature within + 20–25 ° C and humidity - 60–70%. It is also advisable to use additional lighting and heaters so that there are no sharp jumps in daily temperature. Light must be present for at least 12 hours.

Basic watermelon care greenhouse conditions comes down to regular watering room temperature and periodic top dressing with solutions of mineral and organic fertilizers. Young plants require loosening to prevent waterlogging and rotting, as well as ventilation to combat the growth of bacteria in a humid greenhouse environment.

When the plants begin to branch out and the first fruits are tied, 2-3 lashes are selected and 1 or 2 watermelons are left on each, located closest to the mother bush. Departing from the ovaries 10–15 cm, the stem of the tops is cut off. At the same time, the end of the cut shoot should not end with a bare, leafless stem, which will gradually dry out. 2-3 young leaves remain, providing the process of photosynthesis on tops with watermelons.

Growing watermelons are usually laid on wood flooring, which is a few thin boards 50 * 50 cm in size, knocked together, or a piece of building wood board of the same size. This is done in order to avoid fruit rotting in conditions high humidity greenhouses. Cardboard is also suitable for isolating fruits from damp earth. But since its structure can change under the influence of moisture, this material must be periodically replaced with fresh one.

Another support option for a growing berry is tying watermelons on a trellis or lowering them into nets. When the fruits reach the size of a walnut, they are carefully tied with twine to metal posts. After 2-3 weeks, when the watermelons are still growing, they are lowered into nets (for example, onion bags), leave room for further growth of the fetus and tie. A wire is pulled between the posts, on which hooks are attached at a height of about 20-30 cm from the ground, since watermelons gain weight quickly and can break off the fasteners if placed high. A net with a young berry is hung on a hook by twine, which saves space on the site and prevents watermelons from stale on wet ground and rot.

Since most varieties of gourds are pollinated, bees must have open access to plants in the greenhouse, especially in clear, sunny weather.

When to Harvest

The degree of maturity of a watermelon can be determined by its weight and size. Mid-season and early hybrids are already gaining 4-6 kg by the beginning of August and can be of impressive size. If during the season the weather was hot and accompanied by periodic thunderstorms and rains, and spring was without long night frosts and prolonged cold snaps, then by this time the fruit will already be sweet and juicy. But enough sugar and highest degree maturity in gourds is reached in 90–120 days. A watermelon is considered ripe when:

• the stalk dries up and the leaves turn yellow;
• the peel becomes glossy and shiny, and a yellow spot forms at the point of contact of the fruit with the ground;
• when tapping on the surface of the berry, a dull sound is heard.

Video: how to determine the ripeness of a watermelon

As you know, ripe and juicy watermelon is very vulnerable. If it is knocked on or awkwardly lowered onto a hard surface, the fruit may crack. And if the pulp of such a berry is sugary and granular, then there is no doubt that the crop is ripe.

How to properly pinch watermelons

Pinching young shoots, in order to prevent their abundant growth and excessive shading of melons, will be coordinated with the timing of fruit ripening and the region where the plant is grown. This means that in the northern regions of our country, pinching the shoots must be done as early as possible - as soon as the first ovary appears (1-2 watermelons on one stem). New young shoots will not take up nutrients, and the berry will have time to gain weight and ripen during the short northern summer.

If it is an early variety of watermelon, it does not always need to be pinched. But if the stepchildren grow profusely, the shortening of the shoots should be done immediately, as soon as the first fruits are tied on the central stem. This ensures fast ripening and ripe watermelons appear much earlier than later varieties.

Pinching is the removal of stepchildren: one central stem remains and several rudiments of future fruits on it, and two lateral ones, on which no more than 2 fruits are also left. All new shoots are recommended to be removed in a timely manner along with the ovary.

On the central stem, 2-3 leaves remain in the axils of secondary shoots, preserved after pinching. Young ovaries require careful handling, so fragile, juicy tops should not be moved or moved often. It is recommended to leave watermelons on one stem at a distance of 10–15 cm so that they do not interfere with each other as the fruits grow.

In order for melon exotics to meet all the gardener's expectations, the removal of stepchildren must be done on time. The procedure is carried out for plants, guided by the following rules:

1. Pinching is done immediately after the appearance of the first ovaries.
2. 2-3 watermelons are left on young shoots, the rest are cut off, as they take all the strength and power of the plant and do not allow it to develop quickly.
3. As a rule, depending on the variety, 4-6 fruits are left.

Thus, one central stem and two side stems remain, which have from one to three set fruits. Early varieties Ogonyok and Gift to the North, with a growing season of up to 80 days, do not need pinching. Most of the ovaries have time to ripen and gain enough mass and sweetness during the summer season.

If you plan to grow a very large and massive berry, you should leave only 1 or 2 ovaries - they will get the bulk of the nutrients. Maximum fiber buildup will occur much faster in one or two fetuses. If there are a lot of watermelons, the harvest will not be so rich.

In the greenhouse and in the southern regions of our country, the procedure is carried out if it is necessary to thin out plantings of melons and exclude rotting of densely located tops. Abundant plant growth occurs while maintaining a constant temperature and humidity sufficient for the ripening of all fruit that has set. It will be necessary to remove excess shoots if the plants begin to interfere with each other and shade too much. But even without pinching, you can achieve bountiful harvest watermelons.

Video: do I need to pinch watermelons in a greenhouse

Watering rules

During the period of active growth of melons, plentiful and frequent watering is required. Watermelons respond well to sprinkling. Some gardeners use a conventional watering can and water each bush by hand. But this is very time consuming on a site with a large landing area.

Usually they put a stationary sprinkler, powered by pumping station, for 3-4 hours. It is best to carry out this procedure in the evening, as the moisture is well absorbed and will not evaporate quickly. Such irrigation is preferable at the beginning of the growing season, when the melon tops grow abundantly and unwind over the site.

When the flowering period is over, and the first ovary has appeared, you should reduce sprinkling and switch to drip irrigation. This method involves the use of a special hose with holes from which water is supplied in a dosed manner and without pressure. Holes with a spout should be within the radius of the hole so that all moisture is absorbed by the roots and does not evaporate.

When fertilizing, watering under the root is used. First, the prepared dosed top dressing is poured into the hole (about 0.3–0.5 liters per bush), then it is carefully watered so that it does not spread over the surface of the soil, and the near-root substrate is thoroughly saturated with useful microelements. If root watering is carried out, then the best option- separated rain water.

Full watering and hot summer guarantee excellent harvest gourds

During the period of growth of stems and the formation of ovaries, plants especially need watering. It is known that root system gourds is very thick and rather long, therefore, during the active growing season, daily soil moisture in the hole is required.

• If watering is carried out every day, then for one medium-sized melon bush, 1-2 liters of settled water is enough.
• When moistening the soil every 3-4 days, about 5 liters of water per plant will be required.
• When irrigating watermelons once a week, it is necessary to gradually pour a full 10-liter bucket under each bush of the plant as it is absorbed or set drip system watering for 3-5 hours.

Watermelon is watered late in the evening or early in the morning, in order to avoid evaporation of moisture by the sun, and in order not to form a crust, the beds should be loosened on the second day after watering. If this is not enough, there is not enough moisture, and the leaves wither and turn yellow, it is recommended to put a layer of mulch from straw or dried hay around the watermelon holes.

It is very important that with standard irrigation of a plot with melons, the soil layer is saturated by 20–50 cm, and the humidity is kept within 80%. More high level Humidity in hot weather can lead to the development of phytophthora.

If there are 2 or 3 watermelons on the tops, when they come into contact and at high humidity, there is a possibility of developing fungal diseases and spreading bacterial rot. With abundant fruiting, watermelons are watered gently under the root, trying not to affect the fruits. They try to isolate the berries from the moist surface of the soil and from each other with the help of special flooring.

As a rule, in Central Russia at the end July-August hot and sunny weather sets in. Sprinkling will maintain the level of humidity in the beds and will not be a source of rot of tops and fruits on melons. In this way, it is enough to water the plants twice a week. Irrigation is always accompanied by loosening the earth in the hole (to enrich the roots with oxygen) and subsequent top dressing.

Top dressing of watermelons

The deficiency of minerals and organics is determined visually by the state of the plant. If a gourds turn yellow or the stems become thin, and the foliage is sparse, most likely urgent fertilization is required.

Feeding is necessary for:

• low fertility of the land in the garden,
• increased acidity of the soil.

In the first 30 days, when the seedlings are just gaining strength, it is useful to feed them with a weak solution of mineral fertilizers Malyshok or Bogatyr according to the instructions and no more than 1 time per week. Before the seedlings are in a permanent place, they are sprayed with a mixture of 1% Bordeaux liquid and one drop of iodine per liter of water. Such a procedure will be an excellent prevention of fungal and foul diseases of cultivated plants.

Melons are very responsive to the periodic application of organic fertilizers and minerals. Excellent result yields fermented organic matter. Chicken manure and mullein infused for 10–14 days are used for regular top dressing once every 10 days. A concentrated solution of litter or manure is diluted with water in a ratio of 1/5 and allowed to brew for a day. Then, 20 g of pharmacy boric acid powder is added to a bucket of the prepared solution and mixed thoroughly. It turns out a dark brown liquid, diluted with a suspension, with a specific smell of litter. The organic mixture is used as root dressing, which not only enriches the soil with microelements, but also enhances growth, increases the immunity of plants and makes them more resistant to fungal diseases and late blight.

Mineral dressings for melons are:

• simple, when one chemical element is introduced;
• complex - at the same time they are fed with a whole set of mineral fertilizers.

An integrated method of introducing useful minerals involves a combination of ammonium nitrate (10–15 g), superphosphate (40–50 g) and potassium chloride (25–30 g), which are dissolved in 10 liters of water. Watermelons are fed at least twice during the growing season with potash and phosphorus fertilizers. Potassium increases the amount of sugars in fruits, and the nitrogen-phosphorus composition helps shoots develop, enhances photosynthesis and increases plant immunity. After the procedure, the beds are carefully shed.

The following method is used as an alternative top dressing: for 3 liters of water, take 5 tbsp. l. sugar and 40 g of yeast and left to ferment for 2-5 days. The resulting solution is diluted in half with water at room temperature and applied under the root at the rate of about 150–200 grams per bush. It is recommended at least once during the growth period to carry out foliar top dressing with a yeast solution.

You can use special fertilizers for melons, which are not only watered, but also sprayed on plants to increase ovaries ( foliar top dressing). In the season of rains and thunderstorms, Nutriflex is treated 2-3 times - during budding and flowering. This procedure helps to increase the number of ovaries and increase resistance to fungal diseases.

Photo gallery: top dressing and fertilizers for gourds

A solution of chicken manure not only enriches the soil, enhances growth, improves the immunity of watermelons, but also makes them more resistant to fungal diseases.
Nutriflex helps to increase the number of ovaries and increase resistance to fungal diseases during the rainy season A weak solution of fertilizer Bogatyr is useful for watermelon seedlings A solution of yeast with sugar is a useful foliar top dressing for watermelons

Pests and diseases

The most common harmful insects that spoil the beds with watermelons:

• wireworm,
• bear,
• caterpillars and slugs,

Various agrotechnical measures and special chemicals that are safe for the crop help to fight pests. Digging the earth in the offseason destroys the larvae of soil harmful insects. And the timely fight against ants on the site will not allow aphids to spread.

Bacterial rot requires prompt action by the gardener

Partially, all these troubles can be avoided thanks to proper care and watering, as well as regular fertilization to increase the plant's immunity. Significant assistance in the fight against infection of foliage and fruits is provided by biological methods of protection:

• spraying shoots with a soapy-ash solution: 1 tbsp. l. laundry soap + 1 kg of ash + 10 liters of water;
• watering and spraying at the initial stage of blocking tobacco, garlic, wormwood and other herbs.

Fitosporin-M will help to avoid fungal diseases and phytophthora. Another way is to dilute 5 drops of iodine in 1 liter of water and add 1 liter of whey. Spray watermelon bushes in the morning so that the foliage absorbs the solution during the day.

Each gardener on his site can grow a sugary, juicy watermelon without much effort. If the weather contributes to this, there will be no difficulties, since the melon is demanding only for periodic top dressing and needs regular watering and sunny, hot weather. Watermelon is rarely affected by late blight and easily tolerates heat. The man-made result will be a sweet, sugary fruit without nitrates and other chemicals, cut into slices for dessert. From such delicious exotic no one will refuse.

How to grow watermelons? In fact, if you correctly approach the choice of crop variety and grow seedlings, then the growing process will not cause much trouble. What features should be taken into account when growing watermelons in Siberia, the Urals, and the Moscow region?

Getting a good harvest of watermelons is not difficult. The main rule is to follow all the instructions.

Selecting the best variety of watermelon

It is worth choosing seeds hybrid varieties watermelons, since they are resistant to many diseases and diseases, can withstand sudden changes in temperature. For example, if in summer period watermelons receive little heat, they will only grow to a certain level and be able to ripen.

Some of the most recommended:

• "Spark";
• "Sugar Baby";
• "Astrakhan".

For the northern regions of the country, Sugar Baby is ideal. The ripening period after the first shoots appeared is approximately 85 days. The fruit has sweet bright red pulp, its average weight is up to 4 kilograms. Watermelons of this variety are round in shape, and the skin color is dark green. Sugar baby is suitable for conservation. It is recommended to plant seedlings according to the planting pattern 60*100cm.

The fruits of the Ogonyok culture are spherical in shape, the peel is black-green, and the weight reaches 2 kilograms. The flesh of the watermelon is bright red and juicy. Twinkle - mid-season variety. The fruits ripen after 87 days from the moment the first shoots appear. You need to plant watermelons according to the scheme 60 * 100cm.

— large-fruited variety watermelons. The average weight of a berry can reach 9 kg. The variety belongs to domestic selection and is considered one of the most popular. The fruit has a round or oblong shape with dark green stripes. Watermelons of the Astrakhan variety perfectly tolerate transportation and retain a presentable appearance for quite a long time. The pulp has a rich taste. Average term ripening after the first shoots appear - 81 days.

Growing Options

The culture can be grown both in open ground and in greenhouse conditions. Most suitable option greenhouse cultivation is considered when it comes to regions with unstable temperatures.

Advice! Open ground is suitable for the southern regions of the country, as well as for early varieties.

Preparing seeds for sowing

Before sowing seeds, you need to perform a number of activities:

1. Calibration;
2. scarification;
3. warming up;
4. Disinfection.

Such procedures must be carried out so that there are good shoots, and the seedlings do not get sick.

Calibration- the process of sorting seeds according to their size. Why is such a procedure carried out? It is important to do this, since healthier seedlings will not allow small ones to fully develop. If you correctly divide the seeds into certain groups, then after sowing, all seedlings will develop equally evenly. Since seeds of the same “caliber” will be sown in each container.

Scarification- The procedure is not mandatory. It involves damage to the seed coat, which speeds up the germination process. If it's about middle lane countries, then scarification is necessary. To do this, it is recommended to rub each seed with a spout on sandpaper.

warming up. Such a procedure, on the contrary, is mandatory for watermelon seeds. Its effectiveness lies in the fact that it accelerates the process of their germination, since with an increase in temperature in seeds, the speed of biochemical processes increases. In order to warm up, you need to soak the seeds in water, the temperature of which should be about 50 ° C and leave them in it for 30 minutes.

Disinfection. The procedure consists in the disinfection of the seed. In a weak solution of potassium permanganate, you need to soak the seeds for 20 minutes. Then they need to be dried naturally. Next comes the sowing.

Many summer residents additionally germinate seeds before sowing. For such a procedure, you need to wrap the seeds in a damp cloth and place them in a warm place, for example, on a battery. It is important that the fabric does not dry completely. After the seeds hatch, you can start sowing.

Planting seeds in open ground

Watermelon seeds can be sown immediately in open ground. First you need to correctly choose a variety that is suitable for a particular region. After the soil is warm enough - + 15 ° С ... + 16 ° С, the seeds are planted to a depth of about 10 cm.

After the first shoots have appeared, it is necessary to thin out the seedlings. Repeated thinning is carried out, as 3-4 full-fledged leaves appear in the sents. You need to do this to leave the healthiest sprouts. The distance between seedlings should be 100 cm, if we are talking about a greenhouse, then about 70 cm.

Growing watermelon seedlings in open ground

Choice of container and soil

Since watermelon seedlings do not respond well to transplanting, each seedling must be individually placed in a separate container. Optimal size container: 10 cm in diameter and 12 cm in height.

The container should also not be filled to the brim with soil, about 3 cm from the edge should be left. This is necessary in order to be able to pour soil into the container.

Advice! Seedlings grow comfortably in humus or peat-humus soil.

Peat-humus soil should be made in equal proportions. There is an option for growing watermelons in a mixture of humus and soddy soil (proportion - 3: 1). It is important to add about 1 tsp or 2 tbsp superphosphate to the mixture. l wood ash (per 1 kg of the mixture).

Planting watermelon seeds for seedlings

The term for planting seedlings in open ground should fall around the end of May. By this time, the seedlings will grow up, and from the moment of sowing they will be about 35 days old. Therefore, sowing from seeds in containers and containers should occur approximately in the middle or end of April.

Watermelon seeds are sown in a pot in twos to a depth of 3 cm. When the seedlings sprout, the weaker one must be removed. Sowing containers should be placed on the windowsill, the window should be on the south side.

Important! Seedlings should not be allowed to fall under a draft.

Seedling Care

In order for the seeds to germinate successfully, the temperature regime must be taken into account. The optimum temperature should be up to 30°C. If all conditions are met, then shoots should appear after 5 days.

Then the temperature rises to 20-25°C, and at night the temperature should be around 18-20°C. Compliance with this temperature regime should last three weeks.

In order to avoid deformation of seedlings, it is necessary to observe the optimal level of lighting. To provide the required level of light, you need to create artificial lighting with the help of special devices. The room where the seedlings stand should be ventilated.

After 12 days, the seedlings should be fertilized. The optimal fertilizer is based on mullein. It is not difficult to prepare it: dilute the mullein with water (proportion 1:10).

Re-feeding should be carried out after 14 it. Top dressing should already include 50 grams of superphosphate, 30 grams of potassium sulfate and 15 grams of ammonium sulfate (per 1 liter of fertilizer).

Planting seedlings in open ground

The main point of seedling care is hardening. This procedure should be carried out 4 days before the direct landing in open ground. The procedure consists in lowering the temperature by 2-3 degrees and reducing the amount of watering. For several days, seedlings need to be taken out to a balcony or greenhouse, which is located on the street. On the eve of planting, seedlings should be watered abundantly.

The optimal time of day for transplanting watermelons is morning. It is necessary to carefully transfer each sprout along with the ground into the hole. The distance between young watermelons should be approximately 70-100 centimeters.

As a rule, seedlings are planted tape method with a distance of 50 cm from each other or in holes (3-5 sprouts in each). Many experienced gardeners make holes with a diameter of 1 meter and plant 1 or 2 seedlings in them.

Burying plants should be carried out to the cotyledon leaves. After transplanting, the watermelon should be watered and covered with a film.

Watch the video! Planting watermelons in a proven way

Care and pest control

Watering

The root system of watermelons is pivotal and goes to a depth of more than 100 cm. Lateral roots occupy a large surface of the upper soil layers. After planting seedlings, it is important to adjust the watering regime. Optimally, 3 buckets of water should fall on 1 m2 of soil. After the plants have bloomed, watering is done twice a week.

Important! Watering the bushes must be stopped during the period of fruit ripening.

The difficulty of growing a crop is that with a sharp cold snap, the plant may die or get sick. In order for the seedlings to develop normally and the fruit set to fully occur, the temperature should be from +25 ° С ... +30 ° С.

The growth of seedlings noticeably slows down if the temperature drops to 15 ° C. Therefore, in case of weather changes, it is important to cover the melon with a film. Since with inside film, condensation may form, you need to stretch any non-woven material under it.

Shelter

The covering film should be removed at the end of June. It is important that there are no strong temperature differences during the day and at night. If such a phenomenon is observed, then you should not rush to remove the film. Plants need constant ventilation and shelter from the rain.

top dressing

After the seedlings begin to weave, it is necessary to apply top dressing. It is recommended to use solutions of mullein (proportion 1:8) or a solution of chicken manure (proportion 1:20). Do not forget about mineral fertilizers. The most common mineral fertilizer- superphosphate.

After the ovaries have formed, it is necessary to feed the plants with forsforno-potassium fertilizer.

Pollination

In central Russia, pollination of plants occurs due to insects. However, if, due to weather conditions, pollination by insects is not possible, then it is carried out manually. To do this, touch the stamens of one flower to the pistils of other inflorescences. You can harvest 40 days after pollination has occurred.

Formation

When it comes to growing watermelons in northern regions, then it is worth forming one stem by tying it to the trellis. After 3 or 4 fruits appear on the plant and the main stem grows to a trellis, you need to pinch the top of the stem.

Protection from pests and diseases

One of malicious pests watermelons:

• wireworm;
• sprout fly;
• Scoop;
• Meadow moth.

If suddenly a pest attacked the plant, then it is worth treating the bush with such a preparation as Fitoverm.

If there are a lot of pests, then the plants should be treated with chemical insecticides:

• Fufanon;
• Tantrek;
• Decis.

Watermelons and suffer from the same diseases, namely:

• Anthracnose;
• Ascochitosis;
• Powdery mildew;
• Peronosporosis.

Fighting methods:

• Ordan;
• Abiga Peak;
• colloidal sulfur.

Harvesting

It is not worth rushing to harvest, since not all fruits that have reached a certain size have time to ripen.

So, for example, with tomatoes and melons it is easier. The indicator is a change in the color of the fruit. But what is the optimal harvest time for watermelons? If we are talking about early ripe fruits, then the harvest should fall in mid-August. However, mass collection is not required. It is necessary to determine the ripeness of a culture by external signs. First of all, attention is paid to the mustache and bract. If they are dry, then the watermelon can be plucked from the garden. A ripe watermelon makes a hollow sound when tapped.

Conclusion

The technology of growing watermelons is quite an exciting activity. In order to enjoy a delicious and ripe watermelon, you must follow certain rules of agricultural technology. It is most difficult for beginners to grow watermelons, therefore, in order to properly sow or select seeds, you should seek the advice of professionals. Our article contains tips experienced summer residents, as well as photo and video material of an educational nature. It is worth remembering that with a strong desire to grow watermelons at home, it is quite possible!

Watch the video! How to grow watermelons step-by-step instruction, from seeds to berries 25 kg)

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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 should be carried out correctly.

In addition, the 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.

Place to land

For growing watermelon choose sandy or sandy soil. Its acidity should be 6-7 units.

Since watermelons are a thermophilic plant, a place for planting should be chosen warm, sunny, so that it constantly warms up. Planted in warm soil up to +12 +15 degrees.

Watermelons will grow well after the following crops:

• potato;
• cabbage;
• carrot;
• legume crops.

In no case should you plant a plant in places where solanaceous or gourds have grown before, since these plants have common pests.

It's important to know: it is recommended to prepare a site for watermelons in the fall, it needs to be dug and loosened. Then, on the dug up land, the berry will grow well and give an excellent harvest.

Digging the earth should be done in conjunction with rotted manure or humus. For 1 square meter the following amount of fertilizer is applied - 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 carried out under the film, then you should also purchase necessary material and cover the ground with them.

Planting a watermelon

There are two ways to plant watermelons:

1. In a seedless way.

For planting watermelons in open ground, you should choose cold-resistant seeds with a ripening period of 90 days. Varieties are perfect - "Spark", "Gift to the North", "Chill".

Seeds should be soaked in water before planting. 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 up 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 warm up with the sun.

After 8-10 days, the first shoots should appear. If the earth is cold, then germination will be delayed for a long period, and as a result, the seeds may die.

It is worth noting: before landing, be sure to pay attention to the weather conditions. If it is cool in early May, then planting should be postponed to the end of the month.

In order to grow a good crop, the following planting technology should be observed:

• each well is filled with a mixture of ash, earth, humus and nitroammophos (1 teaspoon). Pour 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the well. This will help increase productivity in the future;
• then we lay the seeds in the soil to a depth of 6-9 cm;
• sprinkle with humus so that a crust does not form on top. This crust can harm the sprouts when they come to the surface, and they will die.

Below, we suggest you 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 desirable that the room maintains a temperature regime of +25 +30 degrees.

Seed germination begins at temperature regime from + 17 degrees, but in order for them to grow and develop fruitfully, it is recommended to maintain daytime not less than 25 degrees, and at night from +18 degrees. Seedling picking is not necessary.

The soil in which the seedlings grow should be fertilized. This will ensure rapid growth of sprouts. For all the time 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. On the surface, sprouts of 3-4 cm should be left.

The sprouts should not come into contact with each other, otherwise they can be severely damaged when planting. Therefore, you should watch the sprouts, and as they grow, the cups should be moved away. Shoots ready for planting must have at least 3 leaves.

Seedlings are planted in the soil in late May or early June. Be sure to follow the landing technology. Sprouted seedlings are planted in prepared beds to a depth of 9-11 cm.

One or two shoots are planted in the hole. If 2 processes are planted in the hole, then they are bred on opposite sides so that their lashes do not intertwine.

Before planting, up to two kilograms of compost or humus are poured into the hole and poured with water. It should be planted in a gruel of soil and fertilizers, sprinkling with dry soil.

Care

In addition to landing, you must follow the rules of care. It is from proper care future harvest depends.

Care consists of the following:

1. Shelter. In order to accelerate the growth of the plant, covering materials can be used. Under the film, an elevated temperature is maintained and due to this, the plant begins to grow faster.

In addition, the fruits will appear 2-3 weeks earlier. Also, the covering material will provide protection from various pests. To cover with a film, you can make not high 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 out under the scorching sun.

2. Irrigation procedures. Since the 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. Soil fertilization. The first top dressing is done 7 days after planting seedlings or seeds. The next two are done at intervals of 2-3 weeks. For the first top dressing, the following can be used as fertilizers - a solution of ammonium nitrate, 20 grams per 10 liters of water. For subsequent dressings, 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 stem of the plant, it is recommended to remove the rest.

Also, do not forget about loosening the soil. Beds with watermelons should be periodically loosened. It is advisable to do this after rain or watering.

Overgrown lashes can be tied to special racks or lightly sprinkled with earth. This will protect them from the wind and speed up the growth of the fruit.

Harvesting

Fruit picking begins around August. Before cutting a watermelon, check it for maturity. Usually ripe fruit has a glossy skin and a dry tail.

There are no hairs on the stalks. Usually, when you knock on the fetus, a dull sound is heard. All these signs are conditional, so it is recommended to use them in combination.

Growing watermelons is a rather laborious process, so it should be approached responsibly. Be sure to prepare the landing site well, pre-dig the soil and fertilize with top dressing.

Do not forget about further care behind the plant. It is from all right technology cultivation depends on the future harvest.

We offer you to watch a video on how to properly plant watermelon seeds for seedlings: