To grow a sweet and sugary melon in your garden, you need to take into account several important points.
Today we will take a detailed look at the main secrets of successful melon growing and give valuable tips for getting a bountiful harvest.
Selection of varieties
The first thing you need to do is choose the right melon variety for your region. The taste and quality of the future harvest largely depend on this, says Anastasia Kovrizhnykh .
It is better to choose early ripening varieties, then the fruits will have time to ripen during the short summer of central Russia.
Varieties such as Zolotinka, Kolkhida and Aromatnaya have proven themselves to be excellent. These are sweet and juicy melons with a thin rind, they can be grown even in northern regions.
If you live in the southern region, you can choose later varieties - for example, Far Eastern or Kazakhstan Yellow.
Soil preparation and planting
Melon loves fertile, well-warmed soil. Therefore, in the fall, you need to add organic matter - rotted manure or compost at the rate of 5-7 kg per 1 sq.m. Ash and wood ash are also suitable. In the spring, dig up the area and loosen the soil.
Sow seeds in early May, when the soil warms up to +15 degrees. Make holes 5 cm deep, the distance between plants is about 1 meter. Be sure to water after planting and mulch the soil.
Care and watering
Young melon plants need abundant watering. If there is a lack of moisture, the ovaries fall off and the harvest decreases. It is better to water under the root, maintaining constant moderate soil moisture.
Also, regularly weed and loosen the soil to retain moisture. When the plants have 3-4 true leaves, apply nitrogen fertilizers - this stimulates growth and fruiting.
Formation and pollination
Melons are melons, so their stems need to be directed in the right direction. For this, use trellises, trellises or netting. Also tie the tendrils to a support so that the plants do not fall under the weight of the fruit.
Pollination of melon flowers is very important, because bees rarely visit them. Manually pollinate the melon buds with a soft brush 2-3 times at intervals of 2-3 days.
Harvesting
Ripe melons are easily separated from the stalk. They need to be picked carefully so as not to damage them. Before this, carefully turn the melon over and look - if the stalk has turned white, then the melon is ready for picking.
Cut the melons with pruning shears, leaving 2-3 cm of the stalk. Store in a cool, dry place. Properly grown fruits delight with a sweet aromatic taste and do not spoil for a long time.
Previously, we reported on the best pepper varieties to grow this year .
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
