Which month is the best to plant watermelon?

Watermelon is known as the "king of summer". Its flesh is sweet, refreshing and thirst-quenching. It also has high nutritional value and is in great demand in the market. It can be said that watermelon has become an important economic crop in our country, and many farmers choose to plant it. So which month is the best time to plant watermelon? Let’s take a look below.

1. Which month is the best time to plant watermelons?

There are many varieties of watermelon, and they are released to the market at different times and have different planting times. Generally speaking, if it is planted in mid-March, it can be put on the market for sale in early July; if the late-maturing varieties are sown in mid-April, they can be harvested in August; if they are sown in late June, they will not be harvested until September or October in the fall.

2. Watermelon planting methods and techniques

1. Soil preparation

Watermelon likes to grow in breathable, loose and well-drained soil. Therefore, we need to prepare the soil properly before planting. First, clear the plot of land of rocks and weeds, then deep plow the land to loosen the soil. Next, mix in decomposed organic fertilizers , such as cow dung, chicken manure, etc., to improve the fertility of the soil. Finally, level the land to form a bed suitable for growing watermelons.

2. Sowing and seedling raising

Select plump and healthy watermelon seeds for sowing. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water to promote germination. Then, dig small holes on the bed surface at appropriate intervals, place the seeds in the holes, and cover them with a thin layer of soil. After watering, cover with plastic film to keep warm and moist. After the seeds germinate and emerge from the soil, allow the seedlings to be exposed to sunlight and remove the film in time.

3. Transplanting and planting

When the watermelon seedlings grow 2-3 true leaves, they can be transplanted. Before transplanting, dig planting holes in the plot and apply base fertilizer. Then, dig the seedlings out of the nursery bed and transplant them into the planting holes with soil. Be careful to avoid damage and keep the seedling root system intact. After transplanting, water the plants sufficiently to ensure that the roots are in close contact with the soil.

4. Field management

During the growth period of watermelon, careful field management is required. This includes weeding, fertilizing, watering, pruning and pest control. When watering, avoid water accumulation and just keep the soil moist. When fertilizing, choose appropriate fertilizers according to the growth stage of the watermelon, such as phosphorus fertilizer, nitrogen fertilizer and potassium fertilizer. When weeding, reduce the breeding of pests and diseases and regularly remove weeds from the plot. When pruning, keep the main vine and 2-3 strong side vines, and cut off the excess diseased leaves and side vines. In terms of disease and pest control, pay attention to the growth conditions of watermelon plants, and take timely prevention and control measures once signs of disease and pests are found.

5. Harvest and storage

When the watermelon fruit grows to a certain size, it can be harvested according to market demand and variety characteristics. When harvesting, cut the fruit stems with scissors to avoid pulling and damaging the fruit. Harvested watermelons should be stored in a dry, ventilated, cool place, avoiding moisture and direct sunlight. If you need to store the watermelon for a long time, you can choose to put it in a refrigerator or cellar.

That’s it