Foreword
With the onset of the first warm days, many gardeners are interested in one of the most important questions - when to plant a watermelon on grown seedlings in order to get the long-awaited harvest as quickly as possible and with minimal losses? We advise you to focus on the landing region, weather and, of course, taste preferences.
To get a quality crop of gourds, use the seedling method of growing. It allows you to get a mature seedling at the time of transplanting into open ground and minimize the likelihood of crop loss, as is often the case with direct sowing of seeds in the soil. The optimal time to start sowing watermelons is mid-April, between the 10th and 15th. In the southern regions, seedlings grow quietly without greenhouses. But in the Urals and Siberia, it is better to build greenhouses on open solar areas, taking care of shelter. Early ripe varieties can be sown in early May.
seedlings of watermelons
For germinating seedlings, use special peat pots. When the watermelon seeds hatch, fill the pots halfway with soil and slightly deepen them.
Seedlings will begin to gradually stretch. As we grow, we pour the right amount of earth into peat pot. We start planting seedlings in open ground from May 18, when the probability of frost will be completely excluded. We deepen the seedlings into the ground along with peat humus pots, since watermelon does not like unnecessary anxiety and transplantation. After a few waterings peat pots completely dissolved in the soil. The use of seedlings is ideal for regions with a small number of sunny summer days and warm weather, poor fruit set and the presence of a large amount of precipitation in June.
When choosing the option of sowing seeds directly into the soil, this manipulation should be carried out in May, focusing on planting early ripening varieties. You can plant some of the seeds in open ground, and the rest in the greenhouse. Those who adhere to the planting of vegetables and fruits strictly according to the lunar calendar should exclude the planting of watermelons three days before and after the new moon.
The main rule when buying seeds is that they must be fully suitable for climatic and natural conditions your region. After all, watermelon is a rather whimsical melon culture. And the first thing you need to focus on is the ripening period. When sowing early varieties and hybrids under a film or in a greenhouse, the first harvest of watermelons can be expected from July 15, and the last - in mid-August. About a month later, fully ripened fruits give mid-ripening varieties, and then late ones, which continue to delight with their juicy gifts until November and the onset of the first frosts.
Growing watermelon on the site
In regions with a cool climate, frequent rainfall and short summers, plant early-ripening varieties, and in the southern parts and regions with warm weather, give preference to mid-ripening and late-ripening specimens, they will fully be able to show all the taste and quality properties. Also pay attention to the resistance of the variety to drought, temperature extremes, diseases, transportation, demanding care. Watermelons are also distinguished by varieties, dividing them into 10 groups assigned to a certain geographic location:
- Russian;
- Transcaucasian;
- Asia Minor;
- Central Asian;
- East Asian;
- Far Eastern;
- Western European;
- Indian;
- Afghan;
- american.
The main varieties of watermelons grown in Russia belong to the Russian, Transcaucasian and Central Asian groups. The timing of maturation, planting and quality indicators will also depend on the choice of imported varieties, hybrids or domestic options. Giving preference to imported varieties, you will get early ripe fruits of large size, High Quality and presentation, as well as disease resistance. If imported varieties and hybrids are more focused on external attractiveness, then domestic ones are more focused on sweet taste, resistance to drought and frost. Local domestic varieties are easy to grow and are ideally suited to the region where they were bred.
If we talk about growing watermelons in central Russia, only early ripe varieties are suitable. You should not choose large specimens, there is a high probability that under adverse conditions and early autumn they will not have time to reveal all their qualities. When choosing a variety, it is important to pay attention to the ripening time in order to plant seedlings on time.
Watermelon varieties Spark
Ripens well in conditions middle lane grade spark. The full period of its vegetation can vary from 60 to 80 days. Externally, the fruit has the correct shape of a ball, and its average weight is about 2.5 kg. The pulp tastes sweet, juicy, has a bright scarlet color, the skin is thin, dark green. The yield of the variety is quite high, which can be said about disease resistance. spark not picky about heat and sun, so it grows well in Siberia and the Urals. We sow the seeds of the variety in the ground from April 20 to the first days of May, and seedlings - from May 25 to the beginning of June.
Crimson Sweet- Another popular early ripening variety with a ripening period of 60-70 days. The average fruit weight is about 3 kg, although much larger specimens are found. The shape of the fruit is round, the skin is shiny, green in color with light stripes located around the entire perimeter. Watermelon has a juicy taste, bright red color. Planting dates are the same as for the variety Twinkle. And here are those derived from Crimson Sweet hybrids can be planted later, as they have an even earlier ripening time.
Watermelon variety famous for its special sweet taste Suga Baby(Sugar baby). The growing season is standard for early maturing options - 70-80 days. By the look Suga Baby is a round fruit, with an average weight of up to 4 kg, dark green in color, without additional stripes and inclusions on the skin. Ideal for .
hybrid variety LadyF1 also very common in the middle lane. From other representatives of early ripening varieties, it is distinguished by ultra-early ripening terms - 65-68 days. At the same time, the fruits have time to fully form and reach 10-12, and sometimes 16 kg. However, in order to achieve such indicators, it is necessary to make a lot of efforts, providing the plant with regular and abundant top dressing at an early stage of ripening.
If only early-ripening varieties are suitable for growing in central Russia, then everything is different for the southern regions. It is here that it is advisable to grow mid-season and late varieties. They ripen longer, ideal for regions of the country with long summers and late frosts. In addition, such fruits are much sweeter, the density of the shell is thick-barked, which allows you to increase the shelf life of watermelons and ensure good transportability. It is the representatives of mid-season and late ripening that are best suited for.
Watermelon variety Charleston Gray
Charleston Gray- a mid-season variety of watermelon with a full growing season of up to 100 days. In appearance, the fruit has an oval shape and a characteristic dense skin with light green stains. Despite its impressive size, about 12 kg, watermelon pulp has a ripe, juicy pulp. Long shelf life and resistance to transportation are also pleasantly pleasing. Given the long ripening period, planting Charleston Gray it is better to spend already in the first days of May.
Variety Astrakhan was bred almost forty years ago and continues to be popular today, despite the constant replenishment of new foreign varieties and hybrids. The ripening period of watermelon is 75-85 days. It is called a classic representative of gourds. It has a rounded, sometimes slightly oblong shape, with pronounced light stripes on the skin and juicy, scarlet flesh inside. In agricultural technology, the variety Astrakhan unpretentious, resistant to diseases, tolerates transportation well and is stored for a long time. You can start planting watermelons for seedlings from mid-May.
Chill- a variety of medium-late watermelon with a growing season of 85 to 95 days. The shape of the fruit ranges from regular spherical to oval, the skin is dark with light stripes. The color of the pulp is less pronounced than in other varieties, has a pink-red hue, but this does not affect the sweet taste of watermelon. The average weight is about 5 kg, with good agricultural technology it can grow up to and over 20 kg. If you have small areas for planting, then keep in mind that this variety grows in large lashes about 5 m long. The fruits are stored very well, collecting them in November, you are guaranteed to be able to enjoy sweet watermelon under New Year. What can you say about the stability of the variety Chill to diseases, here it has average indicators. Landing dates are similar to the previous ones. Chill ripens throughout the summer, but it will be possible to start harvesting the first crop only in early September.
For those regions where warm summer weather can be maintained throughout the autumn, a late variety is perfect for growing. Bush 334 with a full ripening period of 98 to 110 days. It is especially convenient to grow this option in small summer cottages, since the bush itself is compact, consists of 3-5 shoots about 0.8 m long, on each of which only one fruit is formed with an average weight of 8 kg. As with all late-ripening varieties, Bush 334 has a dense skin, as well as juicy, granular flesh. Another plus is good transportability and shelf life, disease resistance, the ability to eat watermelon in fresh and take it for winter preservation. seeds of this variety also very dense, so be sure to soak them in water before starting germination. Landing Bush 334 it is better to spend in the beginning or the middle of June.
Gift of the Sun and Lunar - shining fruits
Among the wide variety of shapes and sizes of watermelons, there are also specimens with non-standard colors, both outside and inside. One of these representatives can be called a variety Gift of the Sun. It has a golden-yellow rind with a smooth surface, reminiscent of a melon. It is gradually gaining more and more popularity in the market. Inside the fruit has a rich bright red flesh with a sweet taste. Gift of the Sun refers to early maturing varieties with a growing season of 65-75 days. Watermelon grows small - up to 4 kg.
A relatively recent novelty on the market is the variety Lunar. Outwardly, it resembles a classic watermelon with a smooth, light green skin and light stripes, and when cut, it surprises yellow pulp. Taste Lunar also differs significantly, but juiciness and tenderness remain. Commercial qualities of fruits are high, and the average weight is about 3.5 kg. Like Gift of the Sun, Lunar refers to early ripening varieties with a full ripening period of 65-75 days.
Perhaps you have already begun preparing for the planting season and perhaps you have chosen the right variety of watermelon. Then we will share with you information about when to plant watermelons for seedlings in 2019. The right timing will help you get a bountiful harvest.
It is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of when to plant watermelon seeds for seedlings in 2019. Let's try to understand this issue. In most cases, seeds for seedlings are planted from March 15th. Sowing dates are affected by:
- climate features in the region;
- selected variety;
- weather;
- dive plants.
Having carefully studied all the above factors, gardeners can use the lunar calendar for 2019 to determine the date for sowing seeds. It is worth saying that using the recommendations that the lunar calendar gives is good, but in order to achieve success, you must also take into account the rules of agricultural technology for caring for watermelons.
According to the calendar, a favorable day is chosen. In 2019, farmers are wondering when to plant watermelons according to the lunar calendar. From March 19 to March 24, according to the calendar, the time is favorable. From May 4 to 9 and from May 19 to 23 is a good time for planting seeds. Planting watermelons for seedlings in 2019 can also be done from June 2 to June 6. If you want to plant early or mid-ripening varieties, then it is best to do this on any day from April 5 to 9 or from April 20 to 24.
Only in the south of Russia, seeds can be planted directly into the soil. In other regions, growing seedlings is simply necessary, otherwise the berry will not grow in open field, it will not have enough heat and light, so necessary for proper development.
Before sowing, the seeds need to be prepared. Then the seedlings will grow well and resist diseases. 5 days before sowing, the seeds are soaked in warm water and a container with seeds is placed on the battery. The water is stirred regularly for 4 hours. The next procedure is seed disinfection. For its implementation, a solution of potassium permanganate is prepared in a bright pink color. The seeds are carefully placed in it for half an hour, after which they are washed with heated water.
The next step is germination. Moisten a soft cloth with water, wrap the seeds in it and place in a container until the sprouts hatch. Throughout the germination, the cloth must be moistened every day.
For growing seedlings, they take a peat pot so that the roots are not damaged during transplantation. In the ground, seedlings should be planted directly in it. You should not take large pots, 10 cm high is enough. Stepping back from the edge of 3 cm, a humus-peat mixture is placed in them and watered with warm water. Seeds are sown to a depth of 3 cm.
Please note that the seeds are lowered into the soil with a blunt end down. Then they are sprinkled with earth and covered with a film. Pots with seedlings are placed in a warm, well-lit place without drafts. Seedlings are watered infrequently and not much.
In a week, the first shoots will appear. At this point, the film is removed, giving freedom to growth. To avoid stretching, provide backlighting at night. Next, proceed to hardening the seedlings. If you have a glazed loggia, then this is a great place. There, seedlings grow for 10-12 days with moderate and infrequent watering, preventing waterlogging of the earth.
Once you've spotted a real watermelon leaf, it's time to feed your bird droppings. Before planting, seedlings should spend 3 days on outdoors. Before planting, it must be well watered and sprayed against diseases. A solution of Bordeaux liquid will do.
Planting dates for seedlings
When the seedlings have 5–6 developed leaves, the stem and root have grown stronger, the planting material is ready for planting in open ground. Plant seedlings in the morning. First, holes are prepared, which are staggered. The distance from each other is 100 cm. 2 liters of water are poured into each well. You should take the settled one.
If you planted seeds in a peat pot, then the seedlings are placed in the hole with it. If not, then the seedlings are pulled out together with an earthen clod and carefully so as not to damage root system are placed in the well. Free space is covered with soil prepared in advance. The soil is lightly compacted. So that the roots do not rot, sprinkle with a layer of dried sand. Landing completed. The last stage is watering the watermelon beds with warm water.
Seedlings are covered with homemade paper caps, protecting from direct sunlight. The seedlings will be in "hats" until the leaves become elastic.
If you are planting watermelon in a greenhouse, follow the same plan of action. Since in this case there will be less space, then build supports along which watermelons, growing, will rise.
To grow juicy and fleshy watermelons in difficult climatic conditions, you need to create comfort for seedlings and properly care for seedlings. Attention to gourds and patience will provide you with an excellent harvest.
Video "Growing watermelons in the open field"
From this video you will learn how to grow watermelons in the open field.
Watermelon is the largest striped berry that is really highly valued all over the world for its indescribably divine taste, deliciously fresh aroma, exquisitely grainy red flesh, and most importantly, extreme benefits for the body. It is understandable, because the "berry" helps the body get rid of excess fluid, is included in diets in the treatment of rheumatism, urolithiasis, diseases of the biliary tract, gout, and obesity. Many gardeners and summer residents like to grow watermelons in their plots. Adhering to our recommendations and advice on self-cultivation juicy and tasty berries with the help of seedlings or direct planting directly into the ground, you can get a luxurious and high-quality harvest on your beds.
Choosing a variety of watermelons
The yield of watermelons has an important effect whole line factors:
- landing time;
- seed preparation;
- conditions of detention;
- care, etc.
But one of the main ones is the variety of watermelons planned for planting. By the way, more than 1200 varieties are known. The following varieties are recognized as the best varieties for sowing seedlings, as well as seeds immediately into open ground:
- Crimson Sweet;
- Twinkle;
- Sugar Baby;
- Producer;
- Chill;
- Top Gun F1;
- Astrakhan;
- Skorik;
- Photon;
- Gift of the Sun, etc.
All of them have the following advantages:
- unpretentiousness in agricultural technology;
- disease resistance;
- drought resistance;
- good yield;
- transportability;
- stability to temperature changes.
Loved by all gardeners and summer residents, the Crimson Sweet watermelon variety stands out among others:
- excellent taste;
- good germination;
- early maturation;
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- over juiciness and sweetness;
- high yield.
Read the description of the Crimson Sweet Watermelon variety on the back of the seed pack.
Preparation and processing of watermelon seeds for planting seedlings
To prepare watermelon seeds for seedlings, it is enough to carry out the following activities: calibration, scarification, heating, disinfection, germination.
Calibration is the size distribution of watermelon seeds. If you sort the seed according to the "caliber", then all the seedlings will develop simultaneously and amicably.
Scarification- this is a violation of the shell of a watermelon seed in order to germinate it as soon as possible. To do this, it is recommended to damage the seed coat by rubbing it with a nose on sandpaper.
warming up- this is an increase in the temperature of seeds in order to increase the rate of their biochemical reactions. To warm the seeds of watermelons, you need to lower their water at a temperature of 50-55 degrees and soak in it for 30 minutes.
Disinfection- This is the disinfection of seed. In order to disinfect watermelon seedlings, it is necessary to hold for about 20 minutes in a pink solution of potassium permanganate (1%, i.e. 1 mg per 1 liter of water). At the end of the time, rinse them under clean water and dry until the desired flowability appears.
Germination- this is the creation of conditions for faster germination of seeds. Here step-by-step instruction to perform the germination of watermelon seeds:
- treat the seeds with any disinfectant;
- place the seeds on moistened gauze, folded in half;
- put in a plastic bag, tie and hang near the radiator or heater.
Important!It is strictly necessary to check the germination material at least once every 2 days, otherwise the seeds may be overgrown and difficult to sow.
It will be interesting for every novice summer resident to know that another option is the germination of watermelon seeds. in water-soaked sand at a temperature of no less than 25 degrees. In addition, you can use hydrogel, which has recently been gaining unprecedented popularity among gardeners and summer residents.
As soon as the time has come, that is, the seed has “opened”, and the length of the sprout has become 1-2 mm, it is important to do hardening planting material . In this case, the following versions are offered:
- After filling a deep container with snow and ice, place the germinated seeds on top. Leave them like this for 5-6 hours.
- Put a damp, cotton cloth with sprouting seeds in the refrigerator for 5-7 hours.
The practical value of these preventive measures is that they are directed against many diseases and enable the plant to strengthen and survive in unpredictable weather conditions.
When to plant watermelons for seedlings
When planting watermelons for seedlings, there is no doubt about the need to follow the following points: the peculiarity of the local climate, the mandatory age cycle of seedlings at the time of planting in open ground and the greenhouse, as well as the length of time for growing seedlings. But besides this, experienced gardeners pay attention to the optimal timing of sowing watermelon seeds according to the lunar calendar.
According to the lunar calendar in 2019
Favorable terms for sowing watermelons for seedlings, in open ground or a greenhouse according to the lunar calendar of 2019 are next days:
- in February - 15-17, 23-25;
- in March - 15-19, 23-25, 27-30;
- in April - 6-9, 11-13, 20, 21, 24-26, 29-30;
- in May - 3, 4, 8-10, 17-18, 21-23, 26-28, 31;
- in June - 5, 6, 13-15, 18-20.
However, the summer resident does not always have the opportunity to sow on the specified dates (not only watermelons are planted in the spring), so it is important to know when it is strictly forbidden to sow watermelons, and these periods must be taken into account in your spring calendar:
- in February - 4, 5, 19;
- in March - 6, 7, 21;
- in April - 5, 19;
- in May - 5, 19;
- in June - 3, 4, 17.
Therefore, it is necessary to prepare in advance for sowing watermelon seeds.
According to lunar calendar from the magazine "1000 tips for summer residents."
Depending on region and climate
Just on South watermelon seeds can be planted directly in open ground or greenhouse . In other regions, growing seedlings is simply necessary, otherwise it is almost impossible to count on success.
V middle lane it is recommended to grow only early-ripening varieties of watermelons and not to pursue large sizes too much. The optimal time for planting seedlings in open ground (preferably in a greenhouse) in the Moscow region is the second half of May. Therefore, seeds should be sown approximately 2 months before this date, that is, starting from mid-March.
It's no joke, but today it is relatively successful to grow watermelons in Siberia and the Urals! Not so long ago, special varieties were created that are well adapted to the harsh northern climate. Naturally, only through seedlings with further planting only in a polycarbonate greenhouse. The landing dates are similar to those near Moscow, but slightly shifted.
Video: how to plant and grow watermelons in the Urals and Siberia
Planting watermelon seeds for seedlings
As most melon growers and summer residents know, seedlings of watermelons, like all pumpkin, are characterized by a weak root system and do not tolerate transplantation, which is why each seedling is immediately grown in a separate container and in the future not subjected to the picking procedure.
The choice of capacity and soil for growing seedlings
Often, novice summer residents wonder what kind of containers can become win-win for growing watermelon seedlings at home. The main thing that matters is the size.
That's why it's more profitable to switch to a 10 cm diameter x 12 cm height straight growing container. explained the fact that the containers for seedlings will need to be filled with soil in such a way that it remains at a level of about 3 cm to the edge of the pot (it will be convenient when watering, and will also make it possible to throw more land as the plants grow). The second condition is the material from which the container is made. Specialty stores or specialty departments in many stores offer the following options:
- peat or cardboard cups;
- plastic pots;
- peat tablets;
- disposable plastic cups;
- wooden or plastic boxes.
As for those summer residents who like to do everything with their own hands from improvised means, there are no barriers to their imagination, and the choice for them is huge, because, in essence, growing seedlings is quite productive in any capacity:
- cut plastic bottles;
- cups of sour cream, kefir, yogurt;
- thick plastic bags,
- foil containers, etc.
It’s not a bad idea to use cardboard rolls left over from paper towels and toilet paper as a container for seedlings.
Concerning soil for seedlings of watermelons, then it grows best in this composition:
- 1 part of humus soil;
- 1 part of peat-humus soil.
Or this soil mixture:
- 1 part peat;
- 1 part of sod land;
- 1 part sand.
Another option for the substrate may be the following ratio:
- 1 part of sod land;
- 3 parts humus.
It will not be superfluous to add a couple of tablespoons of wood ash or 1 teaspoon of superphosphate to any of these soil mixtures (the proportions are calculated for 1 kg of substrate).
Direct fit
Planting watermelon seeds is as follows. As soon as the seeds "hatch", they are sown 2-3 pieces in a separate container to a depth of 2-3 cm, sprinkled with sand on top, covered with foil and left in a warm place at a temperature of +30. Then it is recommended to place containers with plantings on the windowsill of the south window, protected from possible drafts.
Video: planting watermelons for seedlings
Caring for seedlings of watermelons: the necessary conditions of detention
When the seedlings come out after about 7-9 days, it is recommended to remove the film, and reduce the temperature for 9-10 days to 16-18 ºC. Then you should critically review the planting and remove the most stunted seedling from each container, and then raise the temperature again to 20-25 ° C. At the same time, in the dark, it should be reduced to 18-20 ° C. This regimen is required to be maintained in the process of 3 weeks.
Experienced melon growers advise water watermelon seedlings repeatedly and gradually giving time for the water to soak in. However, it is very important to prevent moisture from getting on the leaves of the seedlings.
Another interesting point in the proper care of watermelon seedlings: with the release of 3-4 true leaves, seedlings are much more relevant feed liquid mullein or a solution of complex mineral fertilizers. The seedlings that came out are the best to feed with mullein (namely: it is necessary to dilute it with water in the ratio of 1 kg of mullein per 1 bucket of water). Secondary top dressing is carried out after about 2 weeks. Now it's time to add ammonium sulfate (15 grams), superphosphate (50 grams) and potassium sulfate (30 grams) to the mullein for every 1 liter of fertilizer.
It is worth noting that caring for watermelon seedlings, in addition to feeding, watering, also involves the preparation of a special artificial lighting, as the seedlings are in dire need of a 12-hour highlight. In case of lack of light, seedlings tend to stretch. That is why on gloomy days, as well as in a poorly lit room, seedlings need to be illuminated with fitolamps or more economical LED lamps.
Video: how to grow healthy seedlings watermelons
When and how to plant watermelon seedlings in open ground
By the end of May, all the necessary elements are added up for planting watermelon seedlings in open ground: the seedlings are 30-35 days old, and they have 3-4 leaves available.
Important! Remember that it is recommended to plant watermelons at a soil temperature of 15-16 degrees and an air temperature of 18-20 degrees.
To choose a place in the garden for melons, w it is advisable to stay in the sunniest and warmest place, not shaded from the south and not blown from the north and west by cold winds. Close deposits of groundwater are strictly prohibited. It is better to place the holes in one row from north to south, while the distance between the holes should be at least 60-80 centimeters.
For watermelons promising, if perennial grasses such as alfalfa, sweet clover, as well as winter wheat, cabbage, onions or annual legumes were green in the garden before them.
unproductive grow watermelons after plants such as nightshade (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers) and cucurbits (melon, zucchini, squash) due to similar pests and diseases.
By the way! Watermelons can be grown in a greenhouse with tomatoes!
The most indispensable soil for watermelon is sandy or sandy loam with a pH of 6.5-7 units. Experienced melon growers know that the garden bed for watermelons should be put in order in the fall: for this, the earth is conscientiously dug up with half-rotted manure or humus. It is advisable to add 4-5 kg of rotted manure per 1 m², as well as 15-25 g of potassium salt, 40-45 g of superphosphate, and 24-35 g of ammonium sulfate. In heavy soils, it is recommended to add 1-2 buckets of sand per 1 m².
Carefully! Fresh manure should not be used to fertilize the soil.
When digging, there is no particular trick to remove weed roots, especially since watermelon strongly “does not respect” such close “neighbors”.
It will be very prudent if 10 days before planting the seedlings in the garden you plan hardening seedlings on a balcony or on a glazed loggia for 1-2 hours. At the same time, the length of time spent on fresh air but limited to 24 hours.
In the spring, as soon as the last snow melts and the time of inevitable frosts ends, the earth is loosened and, as a precaution, covered with a black non-woven fabric or a transparent film. It is curious to note that many gardeners prefer exactly transparent film because it has a number of undeniable advantages:
- reduces evaporation from the soil in the heat;
- prevents waterlogging of the earth during the forced period of prolonged rains;
- keeps the soil under the film in the conditions of the required heat and moisture.
When the earth warms up, small cross-shaped holes are cut in the covering material for planting watermelon seedlings with a distance of about 140 by 100 cm.
A small depression is made under each hole in the covering material, into which fertilizers (humus, ash) are applied and watered abundantly.
At first, having irrigated the ground with water, the watermelon seedlings are very carefully taken out of the cups and planted without filling the soil to the level of the root collar.
Video: the secrets of planting watermelons in open ground
Further care for watermelons
In order to grow large watermelons, they must be properly cared for.
Watering. Having decided, as an experiment, to grow watermelons in the country, always remember about proper and timely watering. It is imperative to ensure that the soil is moist, but there is no swamp. Watering is preferably carried out in the evening, avoiding drops of water on the leaves of the plant and no more than 1 time per week. As soon as the fruitlets are formed, it is required to stop it.
Video: when to stop watering watermelons
Important! Watermelon prefers not watering, but weekly loosening and weeding.
Shelter. If the gap between night and day temperatures is significant, it is recommended not to remove the polyethylene. It is also necessary to protect plantings from rain.
Pollination. In case of insufficient pollination due to the absence of insects or uncomfortable gloomy weather, it is advisable to carry out the pollination of watermelons manually, touching the stamens of one flower to the pistils of others. In addition, you can use drugs "Ovary" or "Bud". By the way, you will have an additional chance to get an amazing ovary if you do the manipulation in the morning at a temperature of 18-20 ° C, but only if the night before that, the degrees did not fall below 12 ° C.
Video: hand pollinating watermelons
Top dressing. The first top dressing is implemented a week after planting the seedlings in the ground. Further, acting according to the instructions of the fertilizer used. However, top dressing should be put an end to after fruit set.
Video: feeding watermelons
Formation. If watermelons are grown on a trellis, then it is recommended to form them into 1 stem. With the appearance of 3-4 fruits, and as soon as the stem "reaches" the trellis, it is recommended to pinch the top of the shoot.
Video: how to form watermelons in a greenhouse
Tracking the growth of lashes. They need to be directed in one direction, provided that they do not intertwine as they grow.
Pest protection. Aphids, sprout fly, onion moth, scoop and wireworm are the main pests of watermelon. To prevent their occurrence, planting watermelons is recommended to be pre-treated with special biological products, for example, Fitoverm. If there are an unthinkable number of insects, it is best to use insecticides ( "Aktaru", "Decis" or "Fufanon", and from melon aphids works well - "Tantrek").
As a supporter of the use of simple but popular folk remedies, use a mixture ash and tobacco dust in a ratio of 1:1. At the same time, 15-20 minutes after the manipulation, it is necessary to loosen the soil, removing the surviving insects.
Disease protection. Watermelons are subject to the same ailments as cucumbers: powdery mildew, anthracnose, downy mildew, ascochitosis. Therefore, the means for preventing the occurrence of diseases will be - "Hom", "Abiga-P", "Ordan", colloidal sulfur. In addition, it is advisable to resort to the help of fungicides, namely: Fundazola, Bordeaux mixture, Skora, Decisa.
Video: watermelon disease prevention
Planting and growing watermelons from seeds in the open field
You can sow watermelons directly into the ground, but first you need to stop at a variety or hybrid designed specifically for your area. If the earth has warmed up to a depth of approximately 9-11 cm, and the weather is best for seedlings within + 15 ° С ... + 16 ° С, it's time to sow watermelon seeds in open ground. Planting pattern - 140 by 100 cm. When shoots appear, they must be thinned out. When 3-4 real, not cotyledonous, leaves grow, process again, leaving the strongest ones. After that, the same care should be carried out as when growing watermelons through seedlings.
Important! So that the ripening fruits do not rot on the not always dry ground, it would be appropriate to place a wooden plank under them.
Planting and growing watermelons from seeds in a greenhouse
With the advent of spring, you need to do in the garden landing pit about 25 cm deep and put dried hay in it. Next, from above, again fill it with earth from the pit. Cover the soil with a board and compact the earth under the weight of your weight. After that, it is recommended to cover the bed in the greenhouse with transparent plastic wrap. Soon the earth will quickly warm up to the required 15-16 degrees. In addition, when hay rots, heat will be released, so that after 12-14 days it will be possible to sow the seeds of watermelons.
Before planting watermelons in a polycarbonate greenhouse, it is recommended to decompose into 1 meter of each bed for 1 bucket of rotted manure or compost, plus 1/2 bucket of sand and 1 liter of ash and dig a depth of 10-12 cm (half a shovel bayonet). Next, you need to dig holes at a distance of 40-50 (can be 70 by 70 cm) cm relative to each other. After that, it is recommended to irrigate the beds with slightly tepid water and place 2-3 seeds per hole at a distance of 4-5 cm. The ideal planting depth is 4-6 cm.
Advice for beginner gardeners - cover the crops on top with a transparent plastic wrap or half-cut plastic jars.
After about 8-10 days, shoots will appear, and instead of a film, double lutrasil will provide invaluable assistance.
What is good about this method is that the seedlings covered in this way may not be afraid of frosts up to -4-6 degrees. If some part of the seeds does not come out, then it is worth planting in the empty holes the seedlings from the holes in the neighborhood that turned out to be superfluous, but on condition that the seedlings have 3-4 real leaves.
With the departure of night frosts and an increase in temperature at night, lutrasil should be removed, and it does not hurt to fix the plants with twine or rope to the horizontal side of the trellis.
Shortly after fertilization, watermelons will begin to grow rapidly. This will be the reason to start watering and feeding them, at least once a week. Use for this 1 tbsp. l. azofoski, with the addition of 1 tbsp. l. superphosphate, 1 tsp. potassium sulfate and 2 tsp. uniflor-micro for 10 liters of water. It will be right to first shed the watermelons with warm water, and then add top dressing in the amount of 1 liter for each plant. When large berries reach a productive size, watering and fertilizing should be stopped.
Very often, novice summer residents are faced with the problem of increasing the weight of ripening watermelon fruits. When the size of the fruit is about the size of a tennis ball, it is recommended to hang it in a net from a horizontal trellis, as there is a danger of breaking a rather frail stalk.
Each watermelon fruit needs only 9-11 leaves, therefore, in order to stop the growth of lashes after the appearance of the ovary, you should leave 5-7 leaves and cut off the rest with the top. Thus, the plant will direct all its forces to the growth and maturation of the fetus. There is also an urgent need to cut off all side shoots. It must be clearly understood that in the greenhouse you can get only one fruit from one lash, if you, of course, want to wait for a watermelon with good food qualities.
This is difficult to fix, but watermelons in the greenhouse remain the main pests. melon aphid and spider mite . In conditions of prolonged cooling, prolonged rains, excessive watering by the victim of soil Fusarium mushroom becomes an unprotected seedling . To prevent soil disease before sowing seeds, a solution of the drug is very useful. Every 2-3 weeks, the treatment should be strongly repeated. Sometimes watermelons in greenhouses are attacked by anthracnose. Another disease - powdery mildew does not let you forget about yourself in the greenhouse, and even in the open field. Against anthracnose and powdery mildew, again comes to the rescue.
In general, systematic spraying with a mixture of "Zircon", "Epin‑extra" and "Cytovit".
Harvesting and storage
Thanks to the following features even a novice gardener is able to determine the readiness of a berry to take a place on your table:
- finally dried stalk;
- perfectly smooth, like a lacquered rind of a watermelon;
- characteristic booming sound when tapped with fingers.
Important! Keep the stem of the berry intact to avoid premature rotting.
Logically, watermelons are chosen for storage medium size with absolutely intact bark: without any dents, cracks, scratches. When transporting watermelons, it is recommended to stack them very carefully and carefully. In order to prevent the transmission of putrefactive infection to neighboring fruits, it is imperative to ensure that they are kept at a certain distance from each other.
If you do not want to get bogged down in the endless saving of watermelons from spoilage, then adhere to the following regimen: temperature - 1-5 ºC, air humidity - 70-80%, and also important good hood. And remember that in room environment, even if they are not in a bright, not hot place, it is not a sin to inspect and turn them over daily.
We are already accustomed to the fact that dry moss, straw, wood ash, etc. are used to store watermelons. Another option for a gentle technology for preserving watermelons is wrapping the fruits in a dense natural, preferably linen fabric.
Nevertheless, no matter what the watermelons are stored in, the next significant action for a novice summer resident will be to check the condition at least once a week striped berries. By choosing the right variety, place and method of storage, you will be able to enjoy amazing berries until the New Year and the beginning of spring.
By the way! Read more about watermelon storage.
Who is enlightened is armed. If you are a novice gardener, but are already dreaming of a colossal harvest of watermelons in your summer cottage, but don’t know how to do it, listen to our tips and recommendations, and you can get the most out of the taste, quality and yield of an exquisite summer treat.
Video: how to grow watermelons - step by step instructions from seeds to berries
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Watermelon is a melon crop that grows reluctantly in conditions of northern and middle latitudes. Therefore, you need to buy seeds of zoned varieties. But they will also have to provide suitable conditions: loose semi-dry soil, a lot of sun and heat.
Sowing watermelons for seedlings
Sowing dates
Watermelons are grown by residents not only of the south, but also of the middle zone, Siberia and the Far East. For regions with cool and short summers, this melon cannot be grown without seedlings. The timing of sowing seeds depends on the variety chosen, as well as on when the threat of returning frosts has passed in a particular region.
Watermelon seedlings are planted on permanent place at the age of 30-35 days. Knowing the date of the planned landing, it is easy to calculate when you can start sowing. For example, if morning frosts in your region occur until mid-May, then you need to sow a month earlier plus a week (for soaking and germination), we get - the beginning of April.
Watermelon seedlings 30 days, can be planted in the ground
When to sow if watermelons grow in a greenhouse?
Landing in a greenhouse or unheated greenhouse, and not in open ground, has almost no effect on the above calculations. If you plan to plant under cover, then you can sow a week earlier, but after planting the seedlings, you will have to follow the weather and weather forecasts. The fact is that watermelons do not grow and do not develop at a temperature of +16 ⁰C and below. And if there are many cloudy days, when the sun does not warm the greenhouse, it is impossible to ventilate, then the seedlings can get sick and die. In addition, during freezing (at night and in the morning) under a film or agril, the temperature is not much higher than outside. Therefore, the seedlings will have to be additionally covered also inside the greenhouse or greenhouse.
But in summer, watermelons feel better under waterproof covering materials, because there they are protected from prolonged rains and cold winds. On sunny days, it is much warmer in the shelter, the fruits grow larger and sweeter than in the open field.
Optimal conditions for watermelons: temperature - +25 ... +30 ⁰C, humidity - 50–60%. Watermelon is a photophilous culture, in conditions cloudy weather development stops.
Choosing a container for seedlings
Watermelons do not tolerate picks, it is very difficult to take root in a new place if their roots are disturbed. Therefore, each seed is sown in an individual pot or cup in which the watermelon will grow until planting. The size of the cup is 10 cm in depth and the same in diameter. Moreover, the container should be such that the watermelon can be removed from it along with a clod of earth without exposing the roots. Pots made of peat or compressed paper are ideal, seedlings are planted directly in them without taking them out.
It is better not to disturb the roots of watermelons during transplantation. Ideal container for growing seedlings - peat or paper cups
You can not grow watermelons in peat tablets. This is compressed peat, which does not contain any nutrients. Peat tablets designed for germinating seeds of those crops that require picking.
What kind of soil do watermelons need?
Watermelon loves loose, moderately dry and neutral soil. Therefore, on sandy and sandy loamy soils, the culture develops faster and gives rich harvests. The soil for seedlings should be prepared in accordance with these preferences. You can use ready-made soil for cucumbers or make a mixture of equal parts: river sand, humus, soddy land. Before sowing, the soil must be spilled with boiling water or heated for 10 minutes in the microwave. A sign of successful disinfection - the earth should soar.
Video: Biologist's advice on using seedling containers and preparing soil mixture
Seed preparation
Often, store-bought seeds are already treated with fertilizers and fungicides for diseases. In this case, soaking and germination are not needed. Untreated seeds are best germinated in order to be sure of their germination. Then, after sowing, a sprout will definitely appear in each cup. To do this, watermelon seeds are first soaked in a growth stimulator. The most common is Epin Extra (4 drops per 1 liter of water). It not only contributes to the early awakening of the embryo of the plant, but also softens the shell of the seed.
Watermelon seeds have a very dense and hard shell, so they are soaked in a growth stimulant solution before planting.
Watermelon seeds are kept in Epin's solution for 12 hours, and then laid out between two wet cotton pads. Place such a structure in a disposable Plastic container with a lid or on a saucer, which is wrapped in a plastic bag. For the rapid emergence of seedlings, a temperature in the range of - + 25 ... + 30 ⁰C is needed. After 4-5 days, the seeds should germinate, you can start sowing.
If you have to sow unsprouted watermelon seeds, then to soften their shell, the soil is watered with hot water (+50 ... +60 ⁰C) when planting along with the seed.
Stages of sowing watermelon seeds for seedlings
Video: How to sow watermelon seeds plus a greenhouse idea on a balcony
Watermelon seedling care at home
Temperature and lighting
As soon as shoots appear, they are transferred for 3-5 days to a sunny and cool place (+18 ... +20 ⁰C). The temperature in the following days and before disembarkation is +20 ... +25 ⁰C. Even on the southern window, watermelons can stretch out, because the weather does not always please us with sunny days. Therefore, you need to be ready to highlight the seedlings. In addition, the pots turn the other side to the glass every day.
On cloudy days, watermelons are drawn to the glass, lighting is needed
Watering
In addition to heat and light, watermelons need moisture. Watermelons are watered rarely, but plentifully, soaking the whole clod of earth, but not falling on the leaves. The signal for watering is the drying of the topsoil to a depth of 1–1.5 cm. Watermelons love dry air, so there is no need to spray them.
The watermelon root is long and adapted to extract water from the lower layers of the soil.
Water should be settled and warm. It is better to keep it in the same place where watermelons grow so that there is no temperature difference when watering. The earth in pots is always kept loose.
top dressing
For the entire seedling period, watermelons are given only 1-2 top dressings. The first one a week after germination is needed if the plants receive enough light and heat, but grow poorly, real leaves grow slowly, they are small. This means that the soil taken for planting turned out to be poor, it has few nutrients. The second top dressing is done a week before planting in a permanent place, so that the seedlings gain strength and endure stress more easily.
Top dressing seedlings of watermelons - table
Fertilizers are applied after watering, on damp ground. Pour about 1-2 tablespoons into each pot.
Photo: Fertilizers for dressing seedlings
Complex fertilizer Fertika Lux (powder) Agricola Forward - concentrate for feeding seedlings 
Uniflor Growth - top dressing for the rapid development of green mass
hardening
If watermelons continue to grow in the open field, then hardening is necessary. Seedlings are taken out to the balcony or open the window. You can not immediately expose young watermelons to direct sunlight and wind. For the first "walk" choose a place shaded and protected from the wind. Gradually intensity and time sunbathing increase from 15 minutes to a whole day.
In the open air, the soil in pots dries out faster, which means that you will have to check its condition and water it more often.
Seedling problems and solutions - table
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
| Seeds cannot shed their shell | Seeds are sown finely or the seed is weak, underdeveloped | Moisten the shell with water several times a day, the watermelon will drop it by itself. You can not pull the dry shell with your hands, the shoot may die. |
| Uneven seedlings | The seeds were sown at different depths, covered with heavy soil from above, a crust formed. | Use loose soil for watermelon seedlings, sow seeds at the same depth. |
| The seedlings died, the stems near the ground darkened | Seedlings fell ill with a black leg. Among the reasons: excessive watering, contaminated land, a cold window sill. |
|
| Not enough light or nutrients |
|
|
| Pests have appeared | Aphids or spider mites can move to watermelons from indoor flowers or from the ground in which they hibernate. |
|
| The leaves are turning yellow | Not enough food | Feed with Agricola, Fertika Lux or Uniflor. |
| Colorless (white) spots on the leaves | Sunburn is often given to seedlings that are first taken out of the room under the bright sun. | Start hardening on a cloudy day or shade watermelons, for example, with paper. On the windowsill, the leaves of the seedlings should not touch the glass. |
| White mold on the surface of the soil | Mold spores are found in the air of any room. It develops on waterlogged soil with a lack of ultraviolet rays. | To loosen, sprinkle the ground with crushed coal, wood ash, spray with a weak solution of brilliant green (1 drop per 1 liter of water). |
When to plant watermelons in a permanent place?
The main rule of the gardener is to plant seedlings in the evening or on a cloudy day. Watermelons should be well watered 3-5 hours before. Of course, there should be no more frosts in the morning. A favorable temperature for watermelons is required: during the day +20 ... +30 ⁰C, at night not lower than +16 ... +18 ⁰C. The first 2-3 days the seedlings are shaded.
In recent years, a huge number of hybrids and varieties of watermelon have appeared that are suitable for cultivation in open ground conditions, not only in the southern regions, but also in cold climates. To grow melons and gourds in your country house, you need to put a lot of effort and skill. The secrets of preparing seeds, planting and caring for seedlings will help to fulfill the dream, which will result in a large and sweet watermelon.
Site preparation
Choosing a place is an important stage in planting a watermelon, which largely determines its further growth and yield:
- watermelon loves places with a lot of light, in shading conditions it does not develop well and will not be able to produce high yields. For planting, sunny areas are allocated that must be protected from the wind;
- due to the highly developed root system, watermelons are highly drought-resistant; planting in places with close groundwater is unacceptable for it;
- for the cultivation of gourds, light sandy or sandy soils with neutral acidity are most suitable. In areas with acidic soil, watermelon produces small fruits that crack while still green.
These plants are undemanding to soil fertility, they grow well both on black soil and on poor sandy and stony soils. Still, well-cultivated plots are needed to obtain large yields. To do this, in the fall, the place of the future planting is dug up and fertilizers are applied:
- superphosphate, azofoska (according to instructions);
- wood ash (1 l);
- humus (5 l).
The calculation is given for 1 m 2 of the area of \u200b\u200bthe site. Fertilizing before planting eliminates the need for regular top dressing during the growing season of the plant. For watermelon, you need to choose a well-lit place
Step-by-step instructions for planting a watermelon
In order for the preparation and planting of watermelon seeds to proceed correctly, the following steps should be followed.
Seed selection
This is a crucial period of preparation for sowing watermelon, as it largely determines the success of growing and obtaining fruits. A variety of varieties and hybrids allows you to choose a plant that is most adapted to the cultivation conditions in your area. Between themselves, watermelons can differ in large or small fruits, the speed of their ripening, and have different resistance to diseases.
Pre-sowing preparation of seeds
Seed preparation for sowing is an important stage of cultivation vegetable crops, especially in home cultivation, as in conditions of limited space, the requirements for the selection of plants increase.
Calibration
Sorting seeds by size allows you to choose the best of them, reject small and damaged ones. The selection is usually carried out manually: the seed is scattered on a smooth surface and divided into large, medium and small. Large seeds, as a rule, contain a large supply of nutrients, which will subsequently provide plants with good growth and high yields. 
For sowing, choose the largest seeds
Heating and soaking
Warming and soaking increases the rate of biochemical reactions in cells, which improves seed germination, the formation of more female flowers, good growth and development of lashes.
Procedure:
- The inoculum is poured into a cloth bag and immersed in warm water (50–60°C) for 2–3 hours.
- Then transferred for half an hour for disinfection in a slightly warmed weak solution of potassium permanganate.
- The bag is taken out, allowed to drain excess moisture.
- Seeds are laid out on wet sand, a cotton or paper substrate and left in a warm room. They are kept at room temperature for about 2 days until seedlings appear.
If you bought treated seeds, they should not be soaked and should be planted directly in the ground.
Germination of watermelon seeds for planting in open ground or for seedlings hardening
To increase the resistance of plants to sharp fluctuations in temperature and to obtain an earlier and more abundant harvest, seed hardening is carried out. Most often, seed is affected in two ways:
- exposure to constant low temperatures. Within 1–2 days, swollen and hatched watermelon seeds are kept in a refrigerator at a temperature of 0 ± 1 ° C with occasional stirring. Such hardening can also be carried out by burying the seed in a small box or bag in the snow;
- exposure to variable temperature. The swollen seeds are kept in the refrigerator for about 12 hours at a temperature not lower than 6 ° C, then they should be kept warm at a temperature of 18–20 ° C for the same period of time. The procedure is repeated three times.
Before sowing, the seeds are slightly dried.
Selection of containers and soil
To avoid further transplantation or picking, the seeds are sown in separate pots or containers with a volume of at least 300 ml (minimum container height - 12 cm, diameter - 10 cm). For planting, a soil mixture is prepared, into which sand, turf and peat are added in equal proportions. To 5 liters of prepared soil add:
- dolomite flour and potassium sulfate (50 g);
- double superphosphate (100 g);
- ammonium nitrate (50 g).
Seedling containers are filled with a mixture so that about 3 cm remains between the surface of the soil and the edge of the pot. As the plants grow, the earth can be poured into the pot. 
To avoid further transplanting or picking, the seeds are sown in separate pots.
Sowing watermelon seeds
Depending on climatic conditions, watermelon is sown through seedlings or directly into open ground:
Sowing seeds for seedlings
The best time for planting is mid-late April. Sprouted seeds with a root of 1–1.5 cm are sown to a depth of 3 cm, 4–5 pieces in each container, sprinkled with earth on top, watered and covered with glass or film. The pots are placed on the brightest window, preferably the south one.
It is important that there are no drafts in the room.
Germinated seeds with a root of 1–1.5 cm are sown to a depth of 3 cm, 4–5 pieces in each container. Planting seeds in open ground
Prepared seeds can be sown directly in open ground only in southern regions with a warm climate. The optimal time for planting is when the air temperature is set within 12–14 ° C, and the soil warms up to a depth of 10 cm. It is better to sow in the last decade of May, at which time the probability of a cold snap is significantly reduced. In cold soil, seed germination time increases, as a result of which seedlings may die or become infected with pathogenic microflora. For planting a watermelon, a hole is prepared with a diameter of about 1 m and a depth of at least 30 cm, they bring into it:
- humus or compost (1 kg);
- ash (1 tablespoon);
- nitroammophosphate (1 tsp);
- sand is additionally added to heavy soil, everything is mixed.
Sprouted seeds of watermelons are sown in the prepared holes. Prior to this, approximately 2 liters of water are poured into the seed planting site. After it is absorbed, 4–5 seeds are laid out to a depth of 3–6 cm, the hole is covered with earth and compacted. The bed after sowing is not watered. To avoid the appearance of a crust, which makes it difficult for sprouts to reach the surface, the soil is mulched with humus.
Young seedlings need a lot of water, so they are watered abundantly as the soil dries out, but not more than 1 time in 7 days. Required depth soil moisture - at least 25–30 cm. Soon after the appearance of sprouts, the first thinning is carried out, leaving the strongest plants, in the phase of 3–4 true leaves, the procedure is repeated. As a result, 1-2 plants should remain in the hole.
Watermelon grown by direct seeding into the ground is more resistant to stresses, including drought and temperature changes, but the crop will always ripen later than that of a seedling crop.
A hole for sowing watermelon seeds in open ground is prepared with a diameter of about 1 m, the soil in it is mixed with humus and mineral fertilizers to a depth of about 30 cm seedling care
In order for plants in pots to grow and develop well, they create optimal conditions:
- daytime temperature should be around 25°C, at night it is lowered to 20°C. Under these conditions, sprouts will appear in 7-10 days;
- the required length of daylight is at least 12 hours. The lack of lighting contributes to the elongation of seedlings and can cause their death; on cloudy days, it is recommended to highlight the plants with a phytolamp;
- after the seedlings have risen, the weak ones are removed, leaving one sprout;
- watering seedlings is carried out in several steps, avoiding water on the leaves;
- in phase 3 of true leaves, the plant is fed with fermented mullein mixed with water in a ratio of 1:10 (or liquid complex fertilizer).
Subject to these rules, seedlings will grow strong and healthy and will easily take root in a new place. 
After culling weak seedlings, one plant should remain in the pot
Transplanting seedlings in open ground
By the time the seedlings are transplanted to the garden, their age is 30–35 days, the plant has at least 4 leaves. 10 days before transplanting to the site, the seedlings are hardened: they are taken out into the open air, increasing the residence time every day. For 3-4 days before planting in the ground, the plants are kept outdoors, and in the evening before transplanting, they are watered abundantly.
After hardening, watermelon seedlings become more resistant to temperature fluctuations.
In mid-June, plants are planted in a permanent place. The transplant is carried out in the morning: the watermelon, together with the earthy clod, is removed from the container, planted in the hole, then watered and covered with a film. The root neck of the seedlings is not deepened. 
After planting the seedlings, the earthen ball should be completely covered with soil, the root collar of the watermelon should be left open
Video: transplanting seedlings of watermelons in open ground
Watermelon planting time according to the lunar calendar for 2018
In order for the plant to grow and develop well, it is important not only to prepare the soil, but also to choose the right time for planting. Often vegetable growers resort to the help of the lunar calendar. Auspicious dates for 2018:
- planting on March 10–15 will have the most positive effect on the growth of melons;
- in April, a favorable time for planting seedlings is the period from 9 to 14, as well as 22 and 28;
- in May, watermelons are recommended to be planted from the 3rd to the 9th;
- landing horticultural crops undesirable:
- April 15–17,
- May 14–16,
- June 12–14;
- it is better to refrain from planting and transplanting plants:
- April 23–24,
- May 7–8, 12–13, May 20–21,
- 3-5, 8-9, 16-17, 30 June.
Scheme and planting depth
Exists different schemes planting watermelons in open ground, their choice is influenced by:
- cultivation method (watering or without artificial irrigation). Plants grown without watering occupy a smaller area, so they can be placed more densely;
- watermelon variety (early or late ripening);
- estimated fetal weight (3-5 kg or more than 8 kg). The higher the planting density of watermelons, the smaller the fruits will grow.
When planting watermelons, it is taken into account that the plants grow widely and should not interfere with each other:
- in the garden, early varieties are placed at a distance of 1.4x1.4 m or 1.4x0.7 m;
- watermelons of mid-season and late-ripening varieties are planted according to the scheme 2x2 m; 2.1x1.4 m; 2.1x1 m.
The smaller number shows the distance between plants when planting, the larger one - between rows. 
The higher the planting density of watermelons, the smaller the fruits will grow.
The depth of planting seed in open ground can vary from 3 to 8 cm and depends on:
- on their size (the smaller the seed, the smaller the planting depth);
- type of soil (on light soils, the incorporation is deeper than on heavy soils);
- soil moisture (seeds spread on a moistened layer).
Seedlings are planted a little deeper than when growing in a pot, so that the root neck is not damaged by winds.
Neighbors and predecessors
To be sure to receive good harvest gourds, you need not only to follow the rules of planting, but also to know about the compatibility of plants with each other:
- watermelon does not tolerate gusty winds. To create shelter, corn, peas, or beans are planted around the site;
- all members of the pumpkin family, including watermelon, are compatible with plantings black radish. This plant secretes phytoncides that prevent the appearance of spider mites;
- melon is an excellent neighbor of watermelon;
- it is well compatible with potatoes and oat root;
- corn and peas improve the growth and taste of watermelons;
- thistle and gauze contribute to the growth of melons;
- watermelon grows well next to plantings of greens (parsley is an exception);
- phytoncides of tomatoes drive away aphids, sawflies and moths.
All representatives of gourds grow very strongly, so next to them it is better to plant crops that give an early harvest.
Planting some plants next to a watermelon negatively affects its growth and productivity, so the choice of neighbors must be approached responsibly:
- gourds grow well in open, sunny areas, so they are not planted next to trees and shrubs that shade the area;
- watermelon does not like the neighborhood of strawberries and nightshade representatives (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers);
- it extracts a large amount of minerals from the soil, so growing watermelon next to beets, carrots, garlic and radishes is not recommended;
- watermelons should not be planted together with related plants - pumpkins or zucchini, as well as cucumbers.
An important agricultural technique is crop rotation. When alternating melons with a frequency of 3–4 years, the number of pests and diseases, as well as weeds, is significantly reduced on the field. It is not recommended to grow watermelon in the same field for more than 2 years in a row, the optimal predecessors for it are:
- winter wheat,
- perennial herbs,
- corn for green fodder,
- radish,
- Dill,
- basil,
- tomatoes,
- celery,
- roots,
- cabbage.
It is strongly not recommended to plant gourds in the area where melons, squash or zucchini previously grew. After harvesting watermelon fruits, it is better to plant this area with legumes (green beans, peas) or garlic.
Methods for planting watermelons on the site
Depending on the climatic conditions of the region and the availability of free space, watermelons are grown in different ways.
in a bucket
In this way, watermelon can be grown at home. To do this, first seedlings are grown in a small pot. Further work is carried out as follows:
- Prepare a bucket with a volume of 16 liters (you can use a wooden box measuring 50x50x30 cm).
- The container is filled with fertile soil with neutral acidity, mixed with perlite in a ratio of 2: 1. This will protect the soil from standing water.
- After the third true leaf appears in the seedlings, the plant, together with an earthy clod, is transplanted into a bucket.
- The optimum daytime temperature is 25–30°C, at night it is 18–20°C. Such conditions are created in spring and summer on a closed balcony.
- Watering should be moderate, watermelon does not like waterlogging.
- Fertilize the soil every 2 weeks. Liquid fertilizers for vegetables are suitable for this (add 1 tsp of fertilizer to 1 liter of water). For irrigation prepare only a fresh solution.
- At the stage of formation of the ovary, a second top dressing is carried out with an increased content of potassium and phosphorus, and after 2-3 weeks - the third.
- The side shoots of the watermelon are pinched, leaving only the main lash.
- In the flowering phase of watermelon, artificial pollination is carried out: male flowers with stamens are plucked, petals are removed and female flowers (with a thickening at the bottom) are pollinated, touching the pistils with stamens.
- After fruit set, no more than two berries are left on the plant, the rest are removed.
- Fruits about 10 cm in size are placed in a net and tied to a support.
After about three months, you can harvest delicious berries weighing about 1 kg.
According to the author, this method can be considered more like a hobby than a way to get a tasty berry. In an apartment, it is unlikely to provide the plant with optimal temperature conditions, except during the hot summer on the balcony. A home-grown watermelon is unlikely to please with the aroma and sweetness of the pulp. For those who still decide to experiment, I advise you to make a drainage hole at the bottom of the tank to protect the roots from waterlogging. And to determine if a watermelon needs watering, it can be recommended to slightly raise the bucket with the plant, guided by its weight and soil moisture.
On the trellis
In the southern regions, gourds are cultivated in open ground, in which case they do not require a garter. When grown in northern regions with a cool and humid climate, trellises can be used. This is especially true for small areas where there is little light and moisture stagnation is likely. In such places it is recommended to grow watermelons of small-fruited hybrids and varieties:
- On both sides, the beds are dug along a support at least 1.5 m high, ropes or twine are pulled between them.
- Other ropes are tied to the stretched ropes, which descend to the plants and serve as a support for the stems of the watermelon, determining the direction of growth.
- The end of the lowered rope is fixed on the stem of the plant or on the ground.
- The main stem is tied up in a vertical direction, the top is not pinched. All side shoots are removed, as female flowers are formed mainly on the main stem.
- The grown fruits are placed in nets, then individually tied to a trellis so that they do not fall under their own weight.
With the formation of 2-3 fruits the size of egg the rest of the ovaries are removed, since large quantity watermelons will not have time to ripen.
The trellis is relevant for small areas where there is little light and moisture stagnation is likely. Under cover material
The cultivation of watermelons under covering material has become especially popular at the present time. Additional costs for the film are offset by the advantages of this technology, including:
- protection of seedlings from weeds in the early stages of growth in the open field;
- reduction of diurnal temperature fluctuations;
- accumulation and preservation of soil moisture.
The use of covering material allows you to reduce the period of fruit ripening by 7-10 days. This method is especially relevant in conditions of a short or humid summer and can be used in several ways:
Spunbond can be used to cover plants directly along the lashes, protecting them from possible frosts. Features of planting watermelons in different regions
Watermelon is a heat-loving crop that needs a fairly long growing season. This should be taken into account when cultivating in regions with different climatic conditions.
In the southern regions (southern Ukraine, the Krasnodar Territory, the republics of Transcaucasia), watermelons are traditionally grown in an open way, which is facilitated by a large number of warm and sunny days necessary for the vegetation of the plant and the rapid development of fruits. After preparation for sowing, the seeds are planted directly in open ground.
In the northern regions of Ukraine, the amount of heat is not enough to ripen the fruits, so watermelon seedlings are grown first.
In regions with a moderately cold and severe climate ( Leningrad region, Moscow region, Siberia, Far East) the harvest of watermelons will always be moderate. To obtain it, you must strictly follow some rules:
- for landing choose only early maturing varieties;
- to ensure acceptable temperatures, watermelons are grown in greenhouses, and in the middle zone - also in open ground under a film (spread);
- planting is done through seedlings in pots;
- so that the roots grow in width, watering the plants is carried out not under the root, but along the grooves dug in the middle of the aisle;
- no more than 5-6 fruits are left on one plant, to obtain large berries - 1-2 fruits, a plank is placed under each one so that they do not rot in cool conditions.
For cultivation in the northern regions, only early-ripening varieties of watermelons are chosen:
- for the Moscow region:
- Sugar baby (Sugar baby),
- Crimson Sweet,
- Skorik,
- spark,
- Producer,
- Astrakhan,
- top gun
- Chill;
- for the Leningrad region:
- Kharkiv,
- spark,
- Rose of the Southeast
- early maturing;
- for the Urals - the same varieties as for the Moscow region, as well as:
- Pink Champagne F1,
- Gift to the North F1,
- Crimstar;
- for Siberia and the Far East:
- Crimson Wonder,
- Crimson Sweet,
- ultra early,
- spark,
- Siberian.
The average fruit ripening period for the middle lane is about 70-80 days, the fruits are medium-sized - from 2 kg to 4-6 kg.
Hard work and knowledge of planting and caring for watermelons will surely reward you with tasty and healthy berries. You can grow watermelon even in the northern regions, you just need to choose suitable variety and do not be too lazy to make a shelter.