When is the best time to plant watermelons?

When is the best time to plant watermelons

A detailed introduction about when is the best time to plant watermelons, covering the topic of flowers and plants. Let's learn about it together.

When is the best time to plant watermelons

Generally, early-maturing varieties should be sown in mid-March, and they will be ready for market in mid-to-late July; late-maturing watermelon varieties can be sown in mid-to-late April, and harvested from late July to early August. For autumn extension open-field cultivation, sowing should be done from late June to mid-July, and harvesting takes place in September to October; for autumn extension greenhouse cultivation, sowing is usually done from late July to early August, and the fruit is ready after the National Day holiday.

Watermelons are annual vine plants of the Cucurbitaceae family and are one of the favorite fruits, often referred to as the "king of summer."

In the hot summer, the flesh of watermelons is sweet, refreshing, and thirst-quenching, and it also has high nutritional value with a large market demand.

Watermelons have become an important economic crop in China, a fruit that helps farmers increase their economic benefits. So, when is the best season to plant watermelons? Are there any good cultivation methods to increase yield?

The best planting time for watermelons

The sowing period for watermelons is generally determined by the type of variety, cultivation objectives, and market availability.

Early-maturing varieties should be sown in mid-March, ready for market in mid-to-late July; late-maturing varieties can be sown as late as mid-to-late April, and harvested from late July to early August.

For autumn extension open-field cultivation, sowing should be done from late June to mid-July, and harvesting takes place in September to October. For autumn extension greenhouse cultivation, sowing is usually done from late July to early August, and the fruit is ready after the National Day holiday.

High-yield planting methods and techniques for watermelons

① Soil preparation and base fertilizer

Deeply till the soil and expose it to the sun for half a month, sprinkle 50-75 kg of quicklime per mu, then break up the soil and form ridges 2.5 meters wide with a trench, with one side 40 cm high and the other 20 cm.

On the higher side of the ridge, dig a planting trench 25 cm deep and 40 cm wide. Apply 1000-1500 kg of decomposed manure, 25 kg of ternary compound fertilizer, 1.5-2 kg of borax, and 4 kg of magnesium sulfate per mu, mixing the fertilizer with the soil when refilling the trench.

② Selecting good varieties

Good varieties are the prerequisite for high yield and quality. Reasonably arranging early, medium, and late-maturing varieties can extend the harvest period and increase economic benefits.

③ Seed treatment

Sun-dry the seeds for 1-2 days to increase their physiological activity. Then soak the seeds in warm water at about 55℃ for 5-6 hours, pour off the water, and wash the seed coat with 5% lime water.

Gently rub the seeds with your hands until they are no longer slippery, then rinse clean with water and dry the moisture for germination.

④ Germination

Germination can be done using methods such as greenhouse germination, electric blanket germination, quilt germination, and body temperature germination. If the planting area is large, greenhouse germination or electric blanket germination can be used, or simultaneous germination with corn or rice.

⑤ Sowing

First, place the germinated seeds (about 1 cm long) flat on the prepared nutrient soil in the seedling cups, with the sprouts pointing downward.

Second, place only one germinated seed in each seedling cup, cover with 1 cm of nutrient soil, and sprinkle a little 1000-fold Toprothiocarb solution.

Third, insert bamboo stakes, cover with plastic film, and press the edges of the film with fine soil. Then insert another layer of bamboo stakes about 15 cm apart and cover with another layer of plastic film, pressing the edges with fine soil again.

⑥ Fertilizer and water management

Water management involves watering at least 2-3 times during the entire growth period of watermelons. When the vines start to stretch, the number of leaves increases, and the sunlight duration is long, requiring more water, so an "extension water" should be applied.

When the young fruit is the size of a fist, apply a "fruit expansion water" to ensure yield and quality and normal growth and development. Watering and top dressing should be determined based on the weather and soil moisture conditions, stopping one week before harvest.

⑦ Pruning and pressing vines

Watermelons generally use a double or triple vine pruning method. The double vine method involves selecting one strong lateral vine in addition to the main vine and removing all other lateral vines.

This ensures reasonable vine distribution, good ventilation and light penetration of leaves, enhancing photosynthesis and disease resistance, thus increasing yield and improving quality.

Moreover, pressing vines can stabilize the plant, prevent it from being blown over by strong winds, and control vine growth.

⑧ Harvesting at the right time

Watermelons have different maturity times depending on the variety. Calculate the number of days after pollination based on the fruit marking, and harvest when the fruit is mature.

The above is a detailed introduction to when is the best time to plant watermelons. Did you get it?