How to grow a melon. Advice for budding gardeners

It is believed that the melon can be grown only in southern latitudes with a suitable climate - hot and arid. However, at the moment there are varieties that are sufficiently frost-resistant, with a short ripening cycle, which suits best for the more northern parts of the country. So, let's try to disassemble in the question of how to grow a melon in a greenhouse and whether it is possible in the open ground.

Choose a site

The site where melons are planned to be planted should be well protected from cold winds and at the same time thoroughly heated by the sun. About its preparation it is necessary to take care beforehand, since the autumn. The soil should be dug to the depth of the shovel bayonet and make humus in the proportion of 4 kilograms per square meter. If the soil on the site is loamy, then it should be slightly loosened by river sand. Half a bucket of sand per square meter of soil is usually enough. In early spring, the soil is again digested and potash and phosphate fertilizers are introduced in the dosage corresponding to the instructions. Immediately before planting, it is also possible to add manure or special nitrogen fertilizers to the soil. Such careful soil preparation is one of the secrets in the answer to the question: "How to grow a melon in the mid-latitudes?".

Seed preparation

Experienced farmers, who are familiar with how to grow a melon on the plot, are advised to pre-prepare the seeds. To do this, they must be placed in a solution of common salt. Unsuitable seeds will float to the surface, and quality seeds will remain at the bottom of the tank. The selected seeds must be thoroughly heated for several days at a temperature of 40 degrees, or kept in warm water until they are pierced.

Planting and growth

Planting of seeds should be carried out to a depth of up to 6 centimeters. In the first weeks the development of seedlings will be rather slow, since during this period the root system is formed. After the appearance of the first leaves, the top point should be pinched, so that lateral shoots become more active. As further growth, it is necessary to remove weak shoots, leaving in the end up to four branches in one bush. As the ovaries are formed, they also need to be thinned in order to increase the yield and taste qualities of the fruit.

Watering

Gardeners, who know firsthand how to grow a melon in our latitudes, recommend using abundant watering once every ten days. Water should be poured under the root. Such an irrigation schedule is optimal for a young plant. Together with irrigation during this period, you can make fertilizers for melons. It can be a specialized organics or ordinary slurry. As the crop ripens, watering should be limited, and two weeks before harvesting stop at all. This is necessary in order not to spoil the taste and flavor of melon.

Harvesting

Harvest should be followed when the fruits have a characteristic color and aroma. As a rule, cleaning takes place from August to September, depending on the area. Collect melons should be pointed, as they keep up. The degree of ripeness of the fetus is easy to check, it is enough to press lightly on the stem - in the ripe melon it can easily separate.