It was believed that it was almost impossible to grow watermelons and melons in the middle lane . However, these tasty residents of the south excellently yield their crops even in areas close to the north of Russia. It is only necessary to observe some rules that are mandatory when sowing these crops. A two-kilogram watermelon, cultivation in the Moscow region which is not a matter of great difficulty, is just as tasty and healthy as it was just brought from the South. So let's find out how to plant this berry and look after it.
Watermelon: growing in the suburbs and central Russia
To begin with, it should be noted that in areas not intended for sowing southern crops, it is necessary to choose special, intensively growing, early varieties, for example, watermelon Shuga-baby and Melon Altai. Germinate seeds should be in April, wrapping them in a rag and dropping in water for 14 days. Then plant them in small plastic pots. Keep them there for a week, watering constantly. After this time, put the pots on the battery for 2 days. Then, rearrange it on the window for a couple of days, and then return it to the heating element, again for 2 days.
Growing watermelons and melons in a greenhouse
Sprouts should appear in the second week of these manipulations. After this, watering is reduced to 1 time in two days with a small amount of water. After the third leaf appears, transplant the plant into a three-liter pot or into a greenhouse. Remember that watermelons do not like humidity, and that is why greenhouses suffer. In greenhouses with high humidity, cucumbers grow better, but not watermelon. Growing these crops in the Moscow Region requires changing the internal climate of your greenhouse. Let it be intended only for watermelons and melons. Create enough ventilation in it. Water the plants 2 times a week.
Watermelons in the suburbs: gardeners secrets
If you are not completely sure about the weather, you can do without greenhouses, because the temperature should not fall below 10 degrees Celsius, and in the current climate this can happen even in May. Therefore, gardeners continue to grow watermelons and melons in pots on window sills on the sunny side.
Watermelon: cultivation in the Moscow region on open ground
When summer comes, it is time to transplant plants into the ground. Choose a very sunny place with little humidity. Water 1-2 times a week - up to 10 liters of water per plant. If it rains, do not water at all, otherwise the watermelon will be unsweetened. In turn, insufficient watering makes the fruits mild, lethargic.
Watermelon: growing in the suburbs and harvesting
When the fruits are tied, leave one berry on the bush. The crop is removed in the fall, until frost has come. Gardeners' secret: to keep the fruits sweet, stop watering them 14 days before harvesting. If the rainy season has already begun, then cover the melon with a film, leaving slots for air, and hold it for 2 weeks until the harvest.
It is possible to grow watermelons and melons in any corner of Russia, but this requires discipline and care, observation of humidity. Many gardeners delight their relatives with delicious fruits from the garden. Maybe they do not grow gigantic, but you are guaranteed 2 kg of juicy sweetness from one bush!