When should winter melon be planted and harvested?

Winter melon is suitable for planting in a warm and humid environment. It likes warmth and is heat-resistant. The most suitable growth temperature is 25-30℃, and the suitable temperature for seed germination is 28-30℃. Winter melon grows slowly below 15℃, so it is not cold-resistant and is suitable for planting in warm areas. So when should winter melon be planted and harvested?

When should winter melon be planted and harvested?

The cultivation of winter melon is usually divided into two main seasons, spring and autumn. The spring sowing period is usually from February to March, while the autumn sowing period is from July to August, which is around the time of the Great Heat. Winter melon has certain temperature requirements, and the most suitable growth temperature range is 20 to 25 degrees. In Hunan Province, the planting period of winter melon is more flexible and can last from January to September. The winter melons planted during this period are mainly large black-skinned winter melons, which are larger in size and weigh about 30 kilograms each. The small green-skinned winter melons are relatively less planted and usually weigh 4 to 5 kilograms each.

The harvest time is different for winter melons of different maturity: early winter melons are planted in mid-February and harvested from late May to August. Early-maturing winter melon is sown in early March and harvested from late June to the end of July. Mid-ripening winter melon is sown in late March and harvested in late July to early August. Late-maturing winter melons are sown from late April to mid-May and harvested from mid-to-late August to early October. Late winter melon seedlings are raised in early to mid-June and harvested in October.

What should we pay attention to when planting winter melon in autumn?

1. Soil selection

You should choose a plot with loose and thick soil, deep soil layer and high organic matter content for planting winter melon. The best soil pH is 6-6.5, and light sandy loam is the best soil type.

2. Avoid repeated cropping

Winter melon is not suitable for repeated planting. It is not recommended to plant winter melon in any land where melon crops have been planted in the previous two years.

3. Land preparation and fertilization

Before sowing winter melon, deep plowing and drying of the soil about 30 centimeters should be carried out half a month in advance, and then fertilization, fine raking, and land preparation should be carried out to make ridges and beds. Apply 200-400 kg of organic fertilizer (or 3000-4000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure) + 40-50 kg of superphosphate per mu.

4. Sowing and raising seedlings

Water the bottom of the plant thoroughly one day before sowing winter melon. Keep the soil moist after sowing and break the film and release the seedlings in time after they emerge.

To sum up, winter squash is best grown in warm, sunny areas with fertile soil and good drainage. Choosing the right planting time and environmental conditions can effectively improve the yield and quality of winter melon.