Do you know the process of this juicy & delicious watermelon cultivation? No, here is the answer. Read this short article and understand the varieties of watermelon, fertilizers, and the duration of this crop.
The world loves watermelon, and the trend towards fresh and homegrown watermelons is growing. So, why do we need to understand the whole process of cultivation? From the ideal time of sowing seeds to the watermelon varieties and the secrets of their crop duration, this article has everything you want to know about watermelon farming.
Below are some of the crucial things you must know before planning for a watermelon crop:
Just like you love sunshine during winters, Watermelons love sunshine during the warm & cultivation season. To give your juicy watermelons the best start, plant them when things are nice and warm, usually between February and March in northern India and November to January in the northeast and west.
You love to walk or drive on a smooth road, and watermelons love to grow on a loose, sandy loam soil that drains water quickly. If your soil is a bit stiff, shove it well before planting and mix in some manure or compost for extra yumminess. To give your watermelon the desired rest, you must shape the soil into little raised beds, like fluffy pillows.
Do you want your watermelon to be sweet and fast (early maturing), like strawberry ripple? Or juicy and ready in the middle of summer (mid-season), like mint chocolate chip? Maybe you crave something extra special, like a seedless variety! It would help if you chose the suitable watermelon varieties in India.
Just like good things take time! Some watermelons take up to 100 days to ripen, while others are quick bursts of flavour, ready in just 70 days. You should know how long your chosen variety takes to grow to plan for future plantation and harvesting.
Here’s the reason why spacing matters:
Room to grow: Watermelons develop long vines and large fruits. Cramped conditions lead to tangled vines, competition for light and nutrients, and stunted growth.
Air circulation: Good airflow reduces fungal diseases and improves pollination. Overcrowded plants create stagnant air, increasing disease risk.
Harvesting ease: Adequate space allows you to navigate between vines easily, reach fruits, and avoid damaging them during harvest.
Watermelon is not easy to grow; you must know the spacing guidelines:
Seedling spacing: Plant seedlings 2-3 feet apart in rows spaced 6-8 feet apart.
Seed spacing: Sow seeds 1-2 inches apart in hills spaced 3-4 feet apart. Thin seedlings to the recommended spacing once they emerge.
Variety considerations: Larger varieties with sprawling vines need more space than smaller, bushier types. Check the recommended spacing on the seed packet or variety description.
Here’s the detailed information about the planting & nurturing your watermelon crop cultivation:
First of all, you need to pick one from seeds and seedlings of watermelons. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Let’s understand how:
Cost-effective: Get a bag of seeds for much less than buying small plants.
Multiple Variety: Pick from a vast number of watermelon types, including sweet and juicy heirlooms without seeds.
Direct sown: You can put seeds right in the dirt, which saves you time and work.
Longer duration: Seeds have longer watermelon crop duration. They also take more time to start growing and become fully grown compared to seedlings.
More TLC: Baby plants need steady water and heat until they start to grow.
Thinning Required: When the tiny plants start to grow, you must separate them so they have enough room.
Faster gratification: Using little tree plants, you can begin sooner. They become fully grown way faster than seeds planted straight into the ground do after several weeks.
Less hands-on: Grown seedlings are more robust against changes in weather and bugs.
Pre-vetted: Nurseries usually sell solid and healthy seedlings. This helps to lower the chances of problems with starting plants from seeds.
Expensive: Small plants called seedlings are more expensive than seeds, especially for rare or unique kinds.
Limited variety: Nurseries might have fewer types of plants than seeds do.
Root shock risk: Planting young plants can bring short-term stress and slow down their growth.
Watermelons are juicy – they need the right amount of water to grow big. Read below to understand how much water is needed to keep your watermelons hydrated:
Seedlings: Young plants need to be watered often, about one inch each week. This helps keep the soil wet but only a little.
Vine: As plants grow older, they need more water. Try to have 1-2 inches of water every week; concentrate on the root area.
Fruit development: When fruits are growing, water is essential for them to be juicy and sweet. Add more water twice or three times each week, especially on hot and dry days.
Make sure your soil drains well to avoid root rot. The best way to grow plants is by using raised beds and sandy loam soil. Try using drip irrigation to water more effectively. It brings water straight to the roots, reducing waste and stopping leaf diseases. Give your watermelons the right amount of water. This will help them grow well and give you tasty, juicy fruits to enjoy.
It would help if you learned how to stop weeds from taking away nutrients and light from your watermelon cultivation. Here’s your guide to keep your watermelon patch weed-free and worthy:
Manually: Take out young weeds by hand before they grow roots. Putting a layer of material on the ground around your plants can also help to stop weeds from growing.
Use hoe: Use a hoe shallowly to cut off weed seedlings at the soil surface. Be careful not to damage your watermelon roots.
Corn gluten meal: Sprinkle this natural herbicide around your plants to prevent weed seeds from germinating.
Organic Mulch: Cover the soil between your watermelon plants with a layer of organic mulch like straw or wood chips. This smothers existing weeds and prevents new ones from sprouting.
Think of watermelons as delicious athletes – to reach their full juicy potential, they need proper training (sunlight and water) and a balanced diet (nutrients). This is where the magic of fertilizer comes in!
Watermelon Fertilizer Schedule: Just like with humans, the nutritional needs of a watermelon change throughout its life cycle. Here’s a handy table to guide you:
| Stage | Fertilizer Type | Application Rate |
| Pre-planting | Organic compost or aged manure | Apply 1-2 inches to the planting area and mix into the soil |
| Seedling | Balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer (10-10-10) | Apply ¼ cup per 10 feet of row every 2-3 weeks |
| Vine growth | Balanced fertilizer (20-20-20) | Apply ½ cup per 10 feet of row every 4 weeks |
| Fruit development | Fertilizer with higher potassium content (10-10-20) | Apply ½ cup per 10 feet of row every 2-3 weeks |
Soil Test: Before using any fertilizer, it’s essential to know what nutrients are in your soil. A soil test will tell you if anything needs to be added or out of balance. Then, you can change your fertilizer plan to fix it. Using too much fertilizer can hurt your plants and dirty the environment, so don’t guess when feeding. Instead, test first!
Organic Fertilizers: For people who want a natural way, organic fertilizers like compost made from plants and fish fluid can help provide healthy food for the soil. Although they may not be as strong as fake fertilizers, the way they give nutrients slowly and helpful bugs help make soil healthier over time. This lasts longer, too.
We hope this step-by-step guide to watermelon cultivation has helped you in every way. Now, if you are a farm/garden owner then you must know about the Krishispray.in. Krishispray is one of the best manufacturers of boom spray nozzle and other agricultural sprayers. Visit this site for more information and the best deals on agricultural sprayers and spray guns.
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