Contents
Growing melon in the open field of Belarus is actually not much different from growing this crop in any other similar climate. Moreover, in many respects, agricultural technology is identical, which allows you to use the experience of neighbors from central Our Country, growing melons at home or in your garden. In this article, we will look at the nuances of cultivating melons at home and in the country, what kind of care a plant will need in the garden, how to properly fertilize, and why it is important to carefully select varieties for planting.
Site Preparation
To answer the question “how to grow a melon”, you should understand what she likes, what conditions are necessary for growth. And first of all, this is the selection and preparation of the site for planting.
Despite the fact that most varieties show resistance to low temperatures, it is still better to plant the crop in a sunny place. In this case, the absence of strong winds or drafts is desirable. Another important element of preparation is the composition of the soil in the garden. Melon grows well in fertile, structured soils. You will need a loamy, calcareous or loamy soil that is high in organic and mineral elements but is neutral in acidity. To unleash the vegetative potential of the melon, it is important to choose the right previous crops: clover, herbs, potatoes, cabbage, cereals, onions, garlic.
Preparatory work in the garden is carried out in two stages. First, in the fall, they dig up a plot on a shovel bayonet, and then add humus or compost (at least 3 kg per 1 sq. M.). In clay areas, purified river sand is also introduced – at least ½ bucket per square meter. After that, they dig it up again and leave it until spring. In the spring, the digging is repeated, but nitrogen and potash fertilizers are also added to the humus. Immediately before planting, nitrogen is added again, but now in combination with phosphate.
It is also recommended to pre-plan the holes in the garden to save time when planting. There should be at least 60 cm of distance between the holes, and it is recommended to leave 100-130 cm between the rows. This will help, firstly, to facilitate planting care, and, secondly, will give the plant a lot of free space for growth.
Selection and preparation of seeds for planting
The choice of seeds, that is, the selection of a well-zoned variety that can grow well in your garden, can be called almost the most important stage in working with seed. Bad seeds will not grow.
Speaking about the technical characteristics of seeds, it should be noted that the best yield is shown by seeds that are 2-3 years old. It is they who give a large number of female flowers, which means that you will have significantly more ovaries than from seeds of the same age, which for the most part give male flowers. You can mix seeds from different years to ensure flowers of both sexes and get the best pollination.
After sizing the seeds (usually large seeds are taken), they should be checked for germination and empty ones should be discarded. To do this, knead a 5% solution of table salt and lower the seeds into it for about 3 hours. Those that float to the surface of the water are empty and not suitable for landing. But those that have safely settled to the bottom should be washed under running water and wrapped in a damp cloth.
Further preparation is easily done at home. The seed is soaked for 25 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate (10 g of potassium permanganate is dissolved in 1 liter of water) to disinfect. If it seems to you that this is not a very reliable method, you can use a soda solution (2 g of soda is dissolved in 1 glass of warm water) and place the seeds in it for 11-13 hours. In addition to disinfection, such soaking helps the seeds swell and prepare for active growth.
An optional but nevertheless useful way to prepare seeds before planting at home is soaking in a ash solution. 1 teaspoon of wood ash is stirred in 1 glass of warm water, and then the seeds wrapped in cloth are dipped for 12 hours. Wood ash nourishes them with a complex of nutrients, significantly accelerating the subsequent vegetation and caring for plants in the garden.
We grow seedlings
Since in most regions of Belarus there are no suitable conditions for planting seeds directly in the garden, seedlings are grown first.
Pre-prepared and processed seeds are planted in peat tablets and pots. This method of planting facilitates the care of seedlings and their subsequent transplantation into open ground. In addition, it is quite convenient to place them on the balcony at home while growing seedlings. The main thing is that the diameter of the landing container should be at least 10 cm.
The soil for planting is mixed from peat, sand and humus, moistened before planting the seeds. By the way, they need to be planted 3-4 pieces in each cup in order to increase germination. In the future, weak shoots can be removed, leaving only the strongest to grow. After planting, it is necessary to mulch with dry sand or earth.
It usually takes about 30 days to grow seedlings. All this time it is very important to monitor the air temperature on the balcony or at home, depending on where you placed the pots. The temperature favorable for growth is about +20 ºС. An abundance of light is also important, so if there is not enough light on the balcony, install fluorescent lamps and illuminate the sprouts so that they grow well. After the appearance of the second true leaf, the seedlings are pinched to stimulate the development of shoots.
In fact, caring for seedlings is not difficult. In addition to light and heat, the plant needs regular watering, the absence of drafts on the balcony and top dressing. Superphosphate, saltpeter and potassium are used as top dressing, as the earliest provision of good ovaries.
Seeds are planted on the balcony in mid-April, in order to start growing melons in the garden in mid-May.
Video “Sowing melons for seedlings”
This video will tell you about the technology of sowing melon seeds for growing seedlings at home.
Planting melons in the ground
In Belarus, favorable weather for planting is established in mid-May. If you have planned holes in advance, then planting in open ground in the country will pass quickly.
Carefully separate the bottoms from the peat pots to allow melon roots to grow easily. Place humus on the bottom of the hole and moisten it a little, then place a pot with a seedling and carefully cover it with earth. It is important not to deepen the stem into the ground. The wells are watered again, and then mulched with dry earth.
If there is no certainty that at night the temperature will not fall below +15 ºС, then cover the area with a film. You can make a wooden frame at home and stretch a film over it for easy installation. Moreover, it is not necessary to constantly keep such a structure above the plantings, since it is quite warm in the garden during the day, so you can leave the shelter at home until night.
Grades of melon
Usually European varieties of melons are sown on the territory of Belarus: Aikido F1, Vanda F1, Caramel F1, Roksolana F1. The fact is that these are varieties with a short growing season – up to 70 days. However, you can also plant varieties that have taken root in the middle and northern strip of Our Country. These include: Altai with a growing season of 80 days, Blondie with a growing season of 85 days. Pumpkins of these varieties grow up to 1 kg in weight, while they are distinguished by good keeping quality and rich sweet taste. It should be noted that these are hybrid varieties, which means that their immunity to diseases and infections is higher than that of ordinary members of the Pumpkin family.
You may also be interested in the following varieties suitable for growing melons in a country house in Belarus:
- Alushta, which ripens in 70-75 days, and bears fruit with pumpkins weighing up to 1,5 kg with sweet pulp;
- Dessert 5, the vegetation of which lasts 70-80 days, ends with the formation of pumpkins up to 1,6 kg with sweet, tender pulp;
- Collective farmer, her vegetation takes up to 90 days, pumpkins are small, weighing up to 1 kg, very sweet.
melon care
There is no reason to believe that caring for melons in the country is difficult. Considering the climate in Belarus, which is quite favorable for most hybrid varieties, fragrant and sweet melons will appear in your garden pretty soon. You should just not forget about the simple rules for caring for landings, and everything will go smoothly.
Loosening
Loosening holes can be carried out to a depth of no more than 15 cm. Why is that? The fact is that the melon has a developed root system, which is located close to the surface of the soil and you can damage it.
The first loosening of the holes and row spacing takes place at these same 15 cm, but the second is only 10 cm deep and only in the row spacing. After the formation of side shoots, care consists in hilling the plants – gently rake the earth to the stem to form a roller.
Watering
Watering in a garden where melons are grown should be regular, but not fanatical. Be sure to keep the water warm and not directly on the stems and leaves.
The water on the melon should not stagnate, therefore, when choosing a site in the country, give preference to something that is on a hill or well drained.
Shortly before the formation of the ovaries, watering is stopped to stimulate the melon to the rapid development of fruits.
Topping
Pinching is the next item in the melon care program in the country. After the first pinching of seedlings, the next one takes place no earlier than the 5th true leaf is formed. It is better to wait until the 7th true leaf is formed on the main stem, and then pinch over it. This stimulates the development of side shoots and ovaries. After the side lashes grow, they are also pinched, and then 2-3 fruits are left on each.
Additional fertilizing
Caring for melons in the garden of any region of Belarus cannot do without top dressing. For the first time, the plant is fed 2 weeks after transplanting into open ground. Use saltpeter, infusion of bird droppings or mullein. The next top dressing is carried out every 10 days until the beginning of fruiting. Also use complex preparations and dilute them in accordance with the instructions.
Video “Secrets of growing melon”
This video shows how melons are grown in open ground at a dacha outside Moscow.
