For the normal growth of a watermelon, it requires a lot of light and heat, especially at the initial stage of development. Therefore, it is not so easy to grow watermelons in the middle lane.
In the event that the weather is cloudy and cold all summer long, it will not be possible to get a ripe watermelon in any way. But such unripe fruits, although not eaten, can be used for salting.
Choice of place and variety
Experienced gardeners recommend choosing a place for an impromptu melon on your site so that potatoes, cabbage or onions grow in this place in previous years. In the fall, fertilizer is applied to the places designated for planting each lash, in the form of humus, chicken droppings, mixed with sand. If the ground is heavy, prone to caking and does not allow air to pass through, a little more sand will be needed. You can also use perlite or vermiculite, which have the same properties as sand.
The varieties of watermelons chosen for planting are of great importance. Seeds from a purchased watermelon will not work here, since it will not have time to ripen. First of all, varieties are needed that are early ripening and hardy, so that they do not die and have time to ripen in a short and unusually cold summer for them. Experts recommend paying attention to such hybrids as "Malysh", "Siberian Lights", "Olginsky". It is not recommended to place different varieties nearby, as cross-pollination will occur. It is best to grow one variety each year in order to choose the best one in the end.
Planting technique and care
Watermelons should be planted when the threat of frost has passed to the maximum, i.e. no earlier than mid-May. The area, on which fertilizer and sand have been applied since autumn, is mulched with peat, digging with a cultivator or a shovel.
You can plant watermelons both by seeds and seedlings. The seedling method is suitable for very cold climates, since watermelons do not tolerate any transplant very well, they can get sick or stop growing. To exclude such a possibility, they often plant two or even three seeds in one hole, in order to eventually choose the strongest and so that at least one germinates.
Frosts on the soil are often repeated throughout May and even happen in June, so watermelon ridges should be covered overnight with non-woven material, geotextiles or foil. At the same time, if possible, they try not to walk between the ridges, since the root system of watermelons grows widely and is very superficial.
Watermelons need regular watering, and if it is not possible to provide a bucket in each hole twice a week, then it is better to install automatic watering on the site. When the ovaries grow to the size of an apple, you should carefully examine all the lashes and pinch them, leaving no more than two watermelons on each lash.
In order for the fruits to sing evenly, starting in August, they are turned over weekly, carefully so as not to damage the whip. If the summer is rainy, they put boards under the watermelons or put them in boxes so that they do not start to rot, and watering is stopped. Watering in other cases is needed until the end of the season.
