A summertime must is savouring a delicious piece of fresh watermelon. A watermelon is a must-have for every picnic since it is incredibly cooling on hot days. You are severely depriving yourself of flavour if you have always chosen your watermelons from the grocery store. Any genuine lover of watermelons must grow their own and let them ripen in the sun; the flavour will be richer and you may bring one right from your garden to your table. A sunny location in your garden and a few seeds will be all you need to begin going.
Read more: 5 Health Benefits Of Watermelon Seeds
How To Grow Watermelons At Home?
One of the most straightforward fruits to produce from seeds is watermelon. Because melons may cross-pollinate and stored seed does not guarantee that you will grow the same watermelon as the previous season, it is advisable to start with newly purchased seeds.
Soil Mounding
Shovel or hoe enough garden dirt to make a mound that is 10 to 12 inches in diameter and 8 to 10 inches tall at the top. If the soil is deficient in nutrients, incorporate fertiliser into the soil using a hand trowel and follow the directions on the label. Make a small indentation around the mound's base and create the mound with your gloved hands or a shovel, pushing earth loosely around the edges.
Plant The Seeds
Prick three holes along the edges of the mound, approximately halfway to the top, with your index finger, ranging in depth from 3/4 to 1 inch. After planting a seed in each hole, fill it in with loose dirt.
Water The Seeds
For first watering, a hose connection with a sprinkler head or a watering can with a rose spout works well. Instead of washing the seeds away or levelling your mound, you want to moisten them. To promote root development, you may also add water to the mound's bottom depression. While the seeds are germinating, make sure the soil stays moist. Every week, watermelons need one to two inches of water. In the event of minimal rainfall, be ready to provide your plants with additional water.
Thin The Seedlings
Reduce the number of seedlings to one per mound after they reach a height of a few inches and have two sets of genuine leaves.
Fertilise Every Month
Await the development of flower buds on the vines. These can happen four to eight weeks after planting, depending on the kind and environment. See your seed packaging for details unique to your variety. Use a fertiliser with more phosphorus. Fertilise once a month for the duration of the growing season.
Give Attention To The Vines
In contrast to other vines, which cling to surfaces with runners, watermelons exclusively establish roots at the site of initiation. This facilitates the simple relocation and planting of vines in desired growth locations. Only do this when absolutely essential, ideally before fruit develops and the vines are no longer than two to three feet.
Protect The Fruits
By putting a thin layer of protection between the maturing melon and the ground, you can keep insects from causing harm. You may achieve this by setting each fruit on a weed barrier, a little piece of wood, or a paper or plastic plate. If the material deteriorates from excessive rain, replacement may be necessary. Don't forget to water often. Since watermelons contain 92% water, the plants require enough moisture to bear fruit.
Harvest Your Watermelons
When your watermelon is ready to be picked, look for these indicators. The stem will dry out, become whitish-brown, and thin out. Where the melon meets the soil, a faint or pale-yellow patch will show. Cut the stem close to the vine using a sharp hand pruner, leaving about 2 inches of stem connected to the fruit.