Watermelon farming requires extensive soil preparation before planting, in order to be profitable and lead to high yields. The basic soil preparation starts about 5 months before transplanting watermelon seedlings. Farmers plow well at that time. Plowing improves soil aeration and drainage. At the same time, plowing removes rocks and other undesirable materials from the soil. Tillage comes right after plowing.
Tillage tractors leave the soil free from weeds which can be harmful for the crop. One week before planting, many farmers apply a pre-planting fertilizer such as manure or synthetic commercial fertilizer, always after consulting a local licensed agronomist. Since watermelon plants need a lot of space to grow, farmers plant them at predefined distances. Consequently, there is no reason to apply the pre-planting fertilizer to the entire field. A good technique is to mark the areas you are going to plant and then apply the fertilizer towards the lines.
The next day is probably the right time to install the drip irrigation pipes. Following the installation, some farmers can apply soil disinfection substances through the irrigation system, in case soil analysis has revealed soil infection problems ask a licensed agronomist in your area.
The next and most important step especially in countries with non optimum soil temperature during the planting period is the linear polyethylene coating. In many cases, the most suitable period to plant watermelons outdoors, is during the second half of spring. At that time, the danger of frost has passed in most cases. Farmers generally prefer plants aged from 3 to 6 weeks. At this point they have developed maximum 3 veins ideally After all the preparation steps that started 5 months before planting plowing, basic fertilization, tillage, installation of the irrigation system and plastic film covering , we can proceed with transplanting.
Growers label the exact points on the polyethylene plastic where they will plant the young plants. They then dig holes on the plastic and plant the seedlings. It is important to plant the seedlings at the same depth as they were at the nursery.
As far as the planting distances are concerned, a commonly used pattern for varieties that produce fruits up to 14 kg, is 1m 3,28 feet distance between plants on the row and 3. This pattern will give us plants per hectare. The distances and the number of plants depend on the watermelon variety, environmental conditions and of course the desired watermelon size that is always dictated by the market.
For example, if we plant more seedlings per hectare, we will harvest fruits of smaller sizes. A different pattern for smaller fruit varieties is 1,5 m 5 feet between rows and 0,6m 1,9 feet between plants in the row. Following this pattern, we will approximately plant Due to the fact that in non tropical countries, even in spring, there is always danger for frost or heavy rain, most producers protect young plants with low tunnels coverage.
Right after planting, they create tunnels of 50 cm 1. In a few words, they create tiny greenhouses so as to maintain the desired microclima and protect the young seedlings from harmful factors. Approximately 45 days later depending on the weather conditions , they start to gradually rip the plastic day by day, until they fully uncover the plants. A few days later, they completely remove it from the field. This gradual and incremental tearing of tunnel is very important.
Otherwise, the sudden removal of the plastic will stress the plants. Some watermelon producers prefer to prune their watermelons, while others claim that pruning delays the development and fruit set of the plant. Those who prune their plants, remove most of the peripheral veins of the plant early, during the first stages of development, when it only has veins. With this method, they force the plant to develop further through the main vein. They keep removing excess foliage that prevents proper aeration, during the entire growing period.
Thus, they protect the plant from humidity favored infections like Powdery Mildew. According to FAO, the total watermelon water requirements during the entire growing period range from to mm. Of course, the water requirements can be totally different under different weather and soil conditions. For example, heavy clay soils normally need less irrigation sessions than a sandy soil. Additionally, high atmosphere humidity or rainy days may not require irrigation sessions at all. On the other hand, a dry day with very high temperature may require one irrigation session per day.
Many producers in Mediterranean countries like Greece, prefer to irrigate their watermelons 20 minutes per day, during their first stages.
Finally, they reduce irrigation dramatically, and almost stop irrigation during the last stages of maturity. Excess water at these stages will cause the fruit to crack. In some states of the USA, commercial watermelon producers provide on average 25mm of water per week. Many producers prefer to irrigate their watermelons early in the morning during the first stages and late in the evening as the temperature increases. Plan to space the plants feet apart in a 5-foot-wide hill. Tip: To allow for more root growth, use larger starting pots than you would for most seeds.
If direct seeding outdoors, sow 4 to 6 seeds per hill, eventually thinning to 2 to 3 seedlings. Transplanting Seedlings Handle watermelon seedlings with extreme care when you transplant. Their roots are very fragile, so try not to disturb the soil when removing them from pots. After transplanting, cover the plants with row covers to keep pests at bay. Remember to remove the row covers when you see both male and female flowers on the vine, as pollinators will need to access the flowers.
Find even more tips for planting melons in your home garden. How to Grow Watermelons Watering Watering is very important—from planting until fruit begins to form. While melon plants are growing, blooming, and setting fruit, they need 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Keep soil moist, but not waterlogged. Reduce watering once fruit are growing. Dry weather produces the sweetest melon. Fertilizing If you choose to fertilize and many do , make sure it delivers more nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium, as this will encourage leaf and vine growth.
However, after flowering begins, use a fertilizer with less nitrogen to instead encourage flowers and fruit. We like to use a seaweed-based fertilizer. Flowering and Fruiting Vines produce male and female flowers separately on the same plant. They often begin producing male flowers several weeks before the females appear. Do not be concerned if the male flowers fall off. The female flowers which have a swollen bulb at the base will stay on the vine and bear fruit.
Blossoms require pollination to set fruit, so be kind to the bees! Learn how to support pollinators in your garden. As fruit is ripening, prevent rotting by gently lifting it and putting cardboard or straw between the fruit and the soil. General Care Tips Mulching with black plastic or straw around the plants will serve multiple purposes: it will warm the soil, hinder weed growth, and keep developing fruits off the soil.
When the plant is young, just cut off the end buds as they form before the side shoots become vines. Bill Rhodes, professor of horticulture at Clemson University, offers the following advice on how to tell when watermelons are ripe: Thump it.
Look at the color on the top. The watermelon is ripe when there is little contrast between the stripes. Look at the color on the bottom. An immature watermelon will have a white bottom; a ripe melon will have a cream- or yellow-colored bottom. Press on it. Check the tendril. Stems should be cut with a sharp knife close to the fruit. How to Store Watermelons Watermelons can be stored uncut for about 10 days. If cut, they can last in the refrigerator for about 4 days.
Wrap tightly in plastic. Produces pound melons with bright red flesh. This variety of smaller fruit can be planted just 4 feet apart. A All-America Selection. Watermelon seeds should be planted outdoors in the spring well after all threats of frost have passed.
The seeds can be started indoors up to three weeks before planting in the garden; do not start sooner as large watermelon seedlings do not transplant well. This will give you a small jump on the growing season. Can you plant watermelon seeds from a watermelon?
Sometimes, they're surprised with a watermelon vine a few weeks later, but the vines generally sprout too late to produce any fruit. You can save the seeds from your watermelon to grow more plants, but you'll have to wait until next spring to plant them.
How much is a serving of watermelon? One pound of watermelon is roughly equal to three wedges, or a serving and a half. For every two pounds of watermelon, you can feed three people. Will a watermelon ripen off the vine? Unlike some fruits, watermelons do not ripen further once they are off the vine. Choose carefully, and store watermelons the right way to keep them flavorful. What is a good companion plant for watermelon? Melons are one of the most compatible plants in the garden and do well when planted with peas, pole beans, bush beans, onions, leeks, chives, and garlic.
Because watermelon fruits are large, the vine is not grown on a trellis; it is rather allowed to trail on the ground. Seed sowing always grows watermelon. Please make sure that you purchase good quality seeds of desired varieties meant for sowing purpose.
It differs from variety to variety; on an average, the fruits ripen days after sowing. All watermelon plant stages i. Seedling stage, flowering stage, fruiting stage happen within months on most of the cultivars. About 2 to 3 melons can be obtained per plant in its single lifespan of months. Usually, gardeners purposely keep only one watermelon per plant to harvest big sized fruits.
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