When is the best time to plant watermelon seeds?

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. Watermelon has become an important economic crop in China and a fruit that helps farmers improve their economic benefits. So when is the best time to plant watermelon seeds ? Let’s take a look below.

1. When is the best time to plant watermelon seeds?

The sowing time of watermelon is generally determined according to the type of variety, cultivation purpose and market launch period. Generally speaking, some early-maturing varieties should be sown in mid-March and put on the market in early to mid-July; late-maturing watermelon varieties can be postponed to mid-to-late April for sowing and harvested in late July to early August; for autumn-delayed open-field cultivation, it is appropriate to sow in late June to mid-July and harvest in September to October; autumn-delayed greenhouse cultivation is generally sown in late July to early August and put on the market after National Day.

2. Techniques and methods of growing watermelon

1. Soil and climate conditions

Watermelon prefers a warm and sunny environment, and the suitable growing temperature is 25-35 degrees Celsius. The soil should be loose, fertile, well-drained sandy or loam. Before planting, conduct a soil test to determine the soil's pH and nutrient content, and make soil amendments based on the test results.

2. Choose suitable varieties

Choose suitable varieties for planting according to local climate and market demand. Common watermelon varieties include black-skinned watermelon, red-skinned watermelon, and yellow-skinned watermelon. When choosing a variety, consider factors such as disease resistance, storability and yield.

3. Sowing and raising seedlings

Before sowing, in order to improve the germination rate, you can soak the seeds in warm water. Then, sow the seeds in a seedling box or seedling tray, maintain suitable humidity and temperature, and promote the growth of seedlings and germination of seeds. When the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, they can be transplanted.

4. Fertilization and watering

Watermelon has high nutrient requirements, especially for phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. Before sowing, organic fertilizer can be applied to the soil, and Kang Taizong can be applied at the same time to improve soil aeration and increase the soil's ability to retain water and fertilizer to provide sufficient nutrients. During the growth period of watermelon, top dressing should be carried out at regular intervals, such as spraying Pengda Taizong and Tianliang Taizong on the leaves to meet its development and growth needs. In addition, pay attention to watering at the right time to keep the soil moist but avoid waterlogging.

5. Pest and disease control

Common watermelon pests and diseases include aphids, leaf wasps, melon flies and melon mildew. Before planting, you can conduct a pest and disease survey to understand the main types of pests and diseases and their occurrence patterns in the local area. During the planting process, comprehensive measures such as chemical control, biological control and physical control can be taken to reduce the harm of pests and diseases.

6. Harvest and storage

The harvest time of watermelon should be determined according to the variety and climatic conditions. Generally speaking, watermelons can be harvested when their stems turn yellow and their rinds become hard. After harvesting, it is necessary to clean and store it in time to extend its shelf life.

That’s it