When should winter melon be planted?

Winter melon is not only tender and delicious with rich nutrition, but its skin and seeds also have very high edible and medicinal value. It can be said to be a treasure from head to toe. It is also known as the "first melon of summer". So when should winter melon be planted? Let’s take a look below.

1. When should winter melon be sown?

my country has a large north-south span and huge temperature differences, so the planting time of winter melon is also different. In the central and northern regions of China, spring sowing is the main method. For greenhouse cultivation, seedlings are generally raised from late February to mid-March, and transplanted from late April to early May. For open-field cultivation, seedlings are generally raised in early April and transplanted in mid-May. In southern my country, autumn sowing is also possible, usually direct seeding from June to July, and harvesting from late September to around November.

2. Winter melon planting technology and management

1. Variety selection: Choose a winter melon variety that is suitable for local climate and soil conditions. Common varieties of winter melon include long winter melon, short winter melon, white-skinned winter melon, etc. Choose appropriate varieties according to planting purposes and market demand.

2. Seed selection: Choose healthy seeds that are free of pests and diseases. The seeds should have a high germination rate and good quality. You can choose to buy seeds from a reliable seed company.

3. Site selection: Choose a site with fertile soil and good drainage for growing wax gourd. Avoid low-lying or waterlogged areas as they may affect the growth and yield of winter melon.

4. Soil preparation: Soil preparation should be carried out before planting, including tilling, loosening and fertilizing. Winter melon likes fertile soil. You can add organic fertilizer when plowing to improve the soil's fertility and water retention.

5. Sowing and transplanting: Sowing or transplanting should be carried out at the appropriate time according to the local climate and planting plan. When sowing, spread the seeds evenly over the planting bed and lightly cover with a layer of soil. When planting, transplant the seedlings to the pre-prepared plots, taking care to maintain appropriate plant spacing.

6. Irrigation management: Winter melon requires adequate water for growth and development, especially during the dry season. Arrange irrigation amount and frequency reasonably according to weather conditions and soil moisture. In general, irrigate 2-3 times a week, keeping the soil moist but not too wet.

7. Fertilization management: Winter melon has high nutritional requirements and requires an appropriate amount of fertilizer supply . During the growth period, top dressing can be carried out. Generally, organic fertilizers and mineral fertilizers can be used, and fertilization should be carried out according to soil test results and plant needs.

8. Pest and disease control: Pay attention to the prevention and control of pests and diseases, discover them in time and take corresponding prevention and control measures. Common winter melon pests and diseases include powdery mildew, downy mildew, aphids, etc. This can be done by spraying pesticides regularly or using biological control methods such as releasing natural enemies.

9. Support management: Winter melon vines grow quickly and require proper support. You can use supports such as bamboo poles or wire mesh to tie the vines to prevent them from falling over.

10. Picking and Harvesting: The picking time of winter melon depends on the variety and the purpose of planting. Generally speaking, winter melon can be picked after the fruit is ripe. The skin of mature wax gourd fruit is dark green and the fruit stem is dry. Use a knife or scissors to cut the fruit off to avoid damaging the fruit and the plant.

That’s it