Even in summer, it is not too late to plant watermelons in garden beds. The timing of planting this crop is influenced by the climate of the region and weather conditions.
On average, seeds are planted from the end of April to the beginning of June. The main condition is that the soil warms up to 15-18 degrees Celsius.
An expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", agronomist, landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh told what else watermelons need besides sunlight and warmth.
1. Choose a watermelon variety that is suitable for your region and climate.
2. Prepare the seeds: soak them in water for a few days, changing the water every few hours. This will help them germinate.
3. Choose a planting location. Watermelons love the sun and warmth, so choose a location with good lighting and protection from the wind.
4. Prepare the soil: it should be fertile and well-drained. Add compost or humus to improve its quality.
5. Make holes about 3-5 cm deep and place the seeds in them at a distance of about 20 cm from each other.
6. Water the holes and cover them with film or plastic bottles for the first time to create greenhouse conditions.
7. Monitor temperature and humidity. During the first few weeks, the temperature should be around 25-28 degrees Celsius and the humidity should be around 70%.
8. After the seedlings appear, remove the cover and allow the plants to grow and develop.
9. Water the seedlings regularly, but do not overwater.
10. When the plants reach a height of about 30-40 cm, pinch the tops - this will promote the development of lateral shoots.