Watermelon or watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a climbing plant with large ridged leaves. It loves hot climates and when it takes root it can thrive without needing too much care. Sowing generally takes place in spring, but it is advisable to consult the local calendar for more details. This article tells you how to grow it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing to Plant
Step 1. Choose the variety to plant
Watermelons can be of many different sizes; there are specimens ranging from 1.3 kg to 32 kg, with red or yellow pulp. Among the most common varieties we find jubilee, charleston gray and congo with a large and elongated shape, or sugar baby and ice box, which are smaller watermelons with a rounder shape.
- Decide whether to grow from seeds or seedlings. The seeds must germinate at a temperature of 21 ° C. If you live in a cold climate, you may want to consider starting germinating indoors, a couple of weeks before the last few frosts. By doing this you will have the sprouts ready at the beginning of the growing season. If not, sow directly into the ground after the last frost, when temperatures are stable above 21 ° C.
- The seeds and seedlings are available in nurseries in early spring.
Step 2. Choose where to plant watermelons and prepare the soil
Watermelons need at least 6 hours of direct sun every day. The plant produces large tendrils that spread throughout the surrounding area, so it will need a lot of space; Generally it is sufficient to leave 1.8m between each row, unless you are growing dwarf watermelons.
Step 3. Work the earth thoroughly, breaking up the largest and most compact clods
Remove plant residues, or you can mix them evenly with the soil.
- Watermelons love loamy, fertile, well-draining soil. To see if the soil is draining enough, look at it after heavy rain. If you see muddy puddles, the terrain is not suitable.
- To enrich the soil, add compost to the top layer.
- Watermelons grow best in soil with a pH between 6 and 6.8. You can test to find out the degree of acidity and see if it is suitable for your crop. If not, you can change the balance by adding specific products available in nurseries.
Part 2 of 3: Plant the Watermelons
Step 1. Use a tractor or a hoe to form mounds of earth (mounds) in which to plant the seeds
Leave enough distance between the rows, from 60cm to 1.8m depending on the space available. Accumulating the soil in well-defined positions serves to ensure that it is well moved, so that the roots can develop without problems; moreover, it allows oxygen to penetrate easily, eliminating excess moisture around the root system. It is also a useful way to keep the soil wet during dry periods.
Step 2. Flatten the mounds of earth slightly, giving the surface a vaguely concave shape, then make three or four holes about 2.5 centimeters deep using a tool or your finger
Place four seeds in each hole, then put the soil back in place with a rake. Make sure you have covered the seeds and lightly compress the soil to prevent moisture from evaporating quickly leaving the seeds without water.
Step 3. Watch out for the first shoots
The seeds should germinate within 7 to 10 days, depending on the temperature of the soil and the depth of the hole. Keep the soil moist around the seeds during the germination period; water close to the seed so that the water reaches the forming roots.
- When the seedlings sprout, remove the weaker ones to make room for the stronger ones.
- Don't let the soil dry out; you should water at least once a day.
Step 4. Spread mulch over the surrounding area when the plants have reached a height of approximately 10 centimeters
You can use pine, grass, or compost needles. Try to place it as close to the plants as possible to prevent weed growth, to retain moisture, and to keep the soil cool around the new roots even during the hottest hours.
Another option would be to spread a black cloth or plastic sheet once the ground is prepared. Then cut holes on each mound where you are going to plant the seeds. You can also spread a little mulch on the sheet. This method helps retain soil moisture and keep grass pressure low
Step 5. Reduce water after flowering
Water about every 3 days (if it's not raining). In any case, don't overdo it with watering, because watermelon plants don't need a lot of water.
- Do not get the leaves and fruits wet. You can rest the fruit on a clean piece of wood, on a large, smooth stone, on a brick, and so on.
- During the hottest days it can happen that the leaves tend to wilt even if the soil is still damp. If they still look saggy at the end of a very hot day, water them abundantly.
- You can make watermelons sweeter by stopping watering the plants a week before harvest. In any case, avoid doing this if there is a risk that they will wither. Once you've harvested your watermelons, start watering normally again to get new fruit.
Step 6. Weeds regularly
Don't forget to also remove them at the base of the plant and along the tendrils.
Part 3 of 3: Collecting
Step 1. Make sure the fruits are ready
In perfect conditions the watermelons are fully ripe after about 4 months of warm weather. If you collect them earlier, they will be less tasty.
- To check the maturity of the watermelon, hit it dry; if you get a thud it means it is mature. Also, check the underside, as the watermelon is ripe when that area is no longer white but tends to light yellow.
- The curled tendril near the stem of the watermelon should be dry when it is time to harvest the fruit.
Step 2. To harvest, cut the watermelon clean from the tendril using a knife or garden shears
Freshly picked watermelons will keep for about 10 days.
Advice
You should harvest 2-5 watermelons for each plant
Warnings
- Beware of the potato beetle, a beetle that loves watermelons. Other parasites that attack watermelons include aphids and spider mites.
- Don't wait too long for harvest, or you will find overripe watermelons.
- Do not sow until temperatures stabilize at least 15.5 ° C. The optimum soil temperature should be 24 ° C. If necessary, you can anticipate the times by starting to plant the seeds in pots.
- Cold easily spoils watermelons.
- Watermelons are very delicate, fertilizers could make them dry out. Check carefully the quantities to use and do not overdo it.
- Downy mildew and powdery mildew can be quite a problem for watermelons. Remember that the potato beetle carries bacteria that cause these diseases, so keep the situation under control.
