Growing watermelons from seedlings offers the best chance for a plentiful yield, particularly in regions with shorter summers.
Choosing the Right Variety
Begin by selecting a watermelon variety suited to your climate. Early and weather-resistant varieties are highly recommended.
Optimal Planting Times
In most areas, watermelon seedlings are typically planted in April. For 2024, favorable sowing days are:
- April: 9-15, 18-23, 25, 27-29
- May: 2-4, 7, 10-12, 15, 16, 18-22, 25, 26, 30, 31
Avoid sowing on April 24, 30, May 1, 8, 23, and 27-29.
Sowing Technique
Prepare a mixture of peat (non-acidic), sod soil, and sawdust in a 3:2:1 ratio for sowing watermelon seeds. Optionally, add 2 tablespoons of wood ash per liter of soil. Seeds should be sown in individual containers (starting from 0.5 liters) at a depth of up to 3 cm. Watermelon seeds do not require any pre-treatment.
Seedling Care
Maintain an optimal temperature of +22°C during the day and +20°C at night for seedling growth. Water moderately.
If growth is sluggish, consider applying nitroammophoska.
If leaves begin to yellow, feed seedlings with a solution of potassium sulfate (1 tablespoon per 5 liters of water).
Transplanting Seedlings
Seedlings are ready for transplanting when they have 3-4 true leaves, typically around 35 days after sowing. Ensure the soil temperature during transplanting remains above 16-18°C. Avoid disturbing the seedlings unnecessarily.
