How to plant a melon in open ground

Growing melons outdoors was previously only available in regions with a warm climate. But, thanks to the work of breeders, the southern fruit became available for cultivation in Siberia, the Urals, the Moscow region and central Our Country. To get a generous harvest, you need to choose a variety, follow the rules of care and cultivation.

Planting melons in open ground with seeds

In order for the bush to grow and develop well, it is necessary to prepare the soil and seeds.

It is better to purchase high-quality seed in specialized stores or collect it yourself. When collecting seed, one must take into account the fact that young seeds bear fruit poorly, since they form a large number of male flowers during growth. Planting material collected 2-3 years ago will bring a rich harvest.

To grow a strong plant, the seeds are soaked before sowing according to a certain scheme:

1. Soak for 1 hour in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
2. Then immerse in warm water.
3. Every 4 hours, the seed is aired and again lowered into the water.
4. The total soaking time should be 12 hours.
5. The soaked seed is scattered on a cloth for germination.

Melon is a light-loving fruit, so it is necessary to allocate a light, wind-protected area for it. Melon is very picky about the quality of the soil, it should be light, well fertilized, with neutral acidity.

Before growing in open ground, it is necessary to prepare the site in a timely manner:

1. In autumn, they dig up the earth on a spade bayonet, add sand, rotted manure or humus.
2. From the onset of warm spring days, the area is sprinkled with ash or peat to quickly melt the snow.
3. An open bed is covered with a film to quickly warm the soil.
4. After the earth has warmed up to + 15 ° C, re-digging is carried out with the addition of potassium-phosphorus fertilizers, strictly observing the dosage indicated on the package.
5. Before sowing seeds in open ground, the earth is again dug up and nitrogenous top dressings are added.

Experienced gardeners advise planting seed directly in open ground only in the southern regions. In cities with an unstable climate, it is better to grow melon through seedlings, since after germination, the plant will not have time to bear fruit before the onset of cold weather. Seedlings begin to grow at the end of April.

How to plant a melon

In order for the melon to bear large fruits, it is necessary to follow the rules of planting. Crop rotation, unthickened planting – the key to good fruiting.

Landing scheme

Melon is an unpretentious plant, planting seeds in open ground will not take much time and effort. Landing is carried out according to a certain technology:

1. The prepared bed is abundantly shed with warm water, since germination will be much higher in moist soil.
2. After the moisture is absorbed into the soil, holes are made 2-3 cm deep.
3. At the bottom of the landing hole fall asleep ½ tbsp. wood ash, 1 tsp. urea and mix well.
4. 2-3 prepared seeds are placed in one well. Since the melon bush grows powerful and sprawling, the interval between planting holes should not be less than half a meter.
5. Seed material is covered with dry soil and rammed.
6. To protect plantings from spring frosts, they are covered with a film or agrofiber.

Under favorable climatic conditions, seedlings in the open field appear on the 10-15th day. After the emergence of seedlings, the strongest sprout is left, and the extra ones are carefully removed.

After which crops is it better to plant a melon

The best place for a melon will be a site where onions, corn, cabbage, cucumbers and cereals were previously grown. It is not recommended to plant it in one place for more than 2 years, as this leads to poor fruiting and the addition of many diseases.

What can be planted next to a melon

Often summer residents occupy every free plot of land, planting flowers, vegetables or herbs. Melon is very picky about neighbors, so it is not recommended to grow it next to cucumbers and potatoes. Potatoes secrete a specific substance that causes the foliage to wilt. Cucumbers and melons are related crops, so when they bloom, they can pollinate, thereby spoiling the quality of the crop.

Next to the melon, it is better to plant corn, herbs, cruciferous and legumes. Very often, melons are placed next to watermelons. This neighborhood is considered the best, as they have the same growing conditions. But it must be borne in mind that the bushes form long lashes, and a large area must be allocated for their cultivation.

What can be planted after melon

After melon, you can perfectly grow vegetables such as:

• turnip, radish;
• carrots, beets;
• garlic, onion;
• potatoes;
• tomatoes, peppers;
• legume crops.

Features of growing melons in the regions

Melon is a heat-loving crop, it needs a lot of light and heat to ripen. It tolerates heat and slight drought well. The maximum humidity for good development should be at least 70%.

Despite the fact that the melon is a southern fruit, it can be grown in all corners of Our Country. The main thing is to choose a variety, carry out timely care and take into account climatic conditions.

In outskirts of Moscow

Growing a melon in the Moscow region is difficult, but real. You can get good fruiting only by growing a crop through seedlings. Sowing material for seedlings is sown no earlier than mid-April. Strengthened seedlings are transferred to prepared beds in mid-June.

The growing area should be well fertilized with organic matter. The prepared place is covered with dense, black agrofiber or polyethylene. Cross-shaped cuts are made in the covering material, where the strengthened seedlings are planted.

After planting, the seedlings are covered with a spunbond for the night so that it takes root and gets stronger. When the first flowers appear, the shelter is removed.

Altai melon is suitable for the Moscow region.

Altai – an early ripening variety, about 2 months pass from the moment the seedlings are planted to the harvest. Srednerosly bush forms lashes of moderate length. Oval fruits of golden color have a mass of 1,5 kg. Tender, juicy, granular flesh is sweet, painted in a light orange color. The variety is adapted to growing in adverse climatic conditions, has good keeping quality and transportability.

Central Our Country

In central Our Country, the Kolkhoznitsa variety has established itself. But in order to get high fruiting, the culture is grown only through seedlings. At home, melons begin to be grown no earlier than April 20, and at the end of May they are transplanted to a permanent place under shelter. In order for young shoots to quickly adapt to a new place, they must be hardened off a week before planting. Transplantation into open ground is carried out no earlier than June 10.

Collective farmer – an early ripening variety, the first harvest is taken 75 days after planting seedlings. The plant forms light yellow fruits weighing up to 1,5 kg. Due to the dense pulp and peel, the culture is well transported over long distances.

In the Urals

The Ural summer is cold and short, so melons do not have time to ripen. To grow it in the Urals, the grown seedlings are planted in a greenhouse. Subject to the rules of care, carrying out timely feeding and watering, you can grow a tasty and sweet melon.

The Cinderella variety is suitable for the Ural climate.

Cinderella – an early variety. The first fruits appear 60 days after germination. Bright lemon melon weighing 1,5 kg has a juicy, sweet white flesh. Due to its rich aroma, melon is used for making fruit salads and preserving for the winter. The variety tolerates sudden changes in temperature, is resistant to various diseases. Cinderella has a drawback – short storage and poor transportability.

In Siberia

It is very difficult to grow a melon in the temperature conditions of Siberia. This is due to the short, cold, rainy summer. Under such conditions, varieties Yantarnaya and Early 133 are grown. But, despite the fact that they stably endure sudden changes in temperature and humidity, the plant is grown through seedlings and in heated greenhouses.

Amber – the culture belongs to medium-early, cold-resistant varieties. Fruiting occurs on the 75th day after planting seedlings. On long lashes of medium power, juicy, spherical melons weighing up to 2,5 kg are formed. The bright yellow, juicy flesh has a sweet taste and a strong aroma.

Growing and caring for melons

To grow a generous harvest, you need to know the secrets of growing melons in the open field. Crop care consists in timely watering, fertilizing, loosening and pinching.

Temperature conditions

Melon is a southern fruit, therefore it grows and develops well in open ground at a temperature of + 25-30 °C. If climatic conditions do not allow, melons are grown in a specially designated greenhouse. When the temperature rises above normal, the greenhouse is regularly ventilated so that pollination occurs faster.

Lighting

Bright sunlight is needed to produce sweet and juicy fruits. Therefore, for growing melons in open ground, a southern area is selected, protected from strong winds. If the plant is grown in a greenhouse, then it must be placed in a sunny place.

Pollination

When growing crops in open ground, pollination occurs due to wind and pollinating insects. If melons are grown under film cover, artificial pollination must be carried out. For this:

• bushes are sprayed with a drug that stimulates the formation of fruits;
• they pluck a male flower, put it in a female flower and carry out several light rotational movements (4 female flowers can be pollinated with one male flower);
• Pollination of melon with a brush. The pollen from the male flower is carefully transferred to the female flower.

Watering

Melon is a drought-resistant crop, therefore, when grown in open ground, watering is carried out once a week with warm settled water. Irrigation is carried out strictly under the root, since moisture on the leaves leads to the appearance of diseases, a decrease or loss of yield. If the summer turned out to be warm, but rainy, the melon is hidden under the covering material.

After each irrigation, careful loosening of the soil is carried out so as not to damage the root system of the melon.

How and what to feed melons

When growing melons in open ground, top dressing is carried out 3 times per season:

• 14 days after the appearance of sprouts;
• at the beginning of flowering;
• during the formation of ovaries.

Mineral and organic fertilizers are used to feed melons. Among mineral fertilizers, potassium and calcium are in the first place. Thanks to mineral dressing, the bush forms a large number of female flowers, which increases productivity. In addition, minerals increase immunity to diseases and make the plant more resistant to sudden changes in temperature.

Organics contain nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins and trace elements, the plant needs them for growth and development. As organic matter, humus and rotted manure are used. Organics are used in a diluted form, in a ratio of 1:5.

Topping

Without the correct formation of a bush, good fruiting can not wait. Timely pinching affects the quantity and quality of the fruit. Execution method:

1. After the appearance of 5 leaves, pinch the top.
2. Stepsons will begin to appear in each leaf axil, the 2 strongest are left, the rest are removed. From the left stepchildren, shoots of the first tier will be formed.
3. After 2 weeks, stems of the second tier will form on the regrown shoots, on which female flowers will open. After the shoots grow back, pinch the top.
4. During the formation of fruits in large-fruited specimens, 2 ovaries are left, in small-fruited melons – up to 7.
5. When an ovary the size of a nut has formed on the shoot, pinch the top, leaving 3-4 leaves above the melon.

When new lashes appear, they are mercilessly cut out, as the green mass takes strength from the bush to the detriment of fruiting.

When growing melons in the open field, often the lashes are neatly tied to the trellis. This method makes it easier to care for and harvest, and also prevents melon rot. If the trellis is not installed, care must be taken that the fruits do not come into contact with the ground. To do this, a piece of board or plywood is placed under each melon.

Protection against diseases and pests

If the rules for planting and care are not followed, a melon growing in open ground can be affected by fungal, viral and bacterial diseases. Insect pests can also settle on it.

The most common diseases of melon growing in open ground:

1. Mučnistaâ rosa – the leaf of the melon is covered with a white coating, which is easily removed with a finger. With an advanced disease, the fungus quickly passes to the trunk. If a disease is detected, the bush is treated with 80% sulfur powder. per sq. m use 4 g of the drug.
2. Fusarium wilt – often a disease that affects mid-ripening and late-ripening varieties. When affected, the leaf plate brightens and becomes covered with numerous gray spots. Without treatment, the foliage begins to fade and after 1,5 weeks the bush dies. Treatment consists in treatment with a solution of potassium chloride.
3. Root rot – often the disease affects weakened specimens. When affected by a fungus, the aerial part turns yellow and fades, and the root system turns brown. If an infected bush is found, it is immediately disposed of.
4. Melon Caviar – microscopic insects suck out nutritious juices, due to which the leaf plate turns yellow, dries up and falls off.

In order not to encounter difficulties and protect the melon from diseases, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures;

• disinfect seeds before planting;
• to observe a crop rotation;
• carefully cultivate the land before planting seeds;
• follow the rules of care;
• when growing melons in open ground, it is necessary to regularly inspect the bushes for diseases and, if detected, immediately begin treatment.

Collection and storage

Harvest time depends on the variety and climatic conditions.

The crop is stored in several ways:

• in nets, in limbo;
• on mesh shelves, where the fruits are placed with the stalks up;
• in cardboard boxes, sprinkling each melon with a layer of shavings.

When properly stored, melons can retain their flavor and aroma until mid-November.

Maturation period

Early ripe specimens grown in the open field begin to ripen in mid-August. To determine the ripeness, the skin on the opposite side of the stalk is lightly pressed down. If a small dent has formed, then the fruit is ripe. Thus, harvesting is selective and can last until the first frost.

Conclusion

Growing melons in open ground is a simple task, even a novice gardener can handle it. The main rule for obtaining a generous harvest is the correct selection of varieties, seed preparation and timely care. By adhering to agrotechnical rules, you can grow a melon even in regions with an unstable climate.