How to successfully grow watermelons in the Moscow region

You can try growing watermelons in the open ground at your dacha in the Moscow region. These heat-loving berries require completely different care than our more familiar crops. But by understanding the key aspects of growing them, you can grow your own watermelons: small, yet sweet and delicious.

Sandy loam or sandy soils are best for successful berry growth. The optimal daytime temperature is around 30 degrees Celsius, and at night, no lower than 18 degrees Celsius.

Important! If the temperature drops to 12 degrees Celsius at night, you shouldn't start growing watermelons—such temperatures are destructive to the plant, and the roots will begin to die.

Did you know that watermelon originated in Africa? You don't have to visit that continent to appreciate how hot it is there. Watermelon traveled a long way from India to reach Russia. In our country, it is typically grown in the North Caucasus, the Volga region, and southern regions.

Only seedling method

In the unstable climate of the Moscow region, watermelons can only be grownusing seedlingsPlanting takes place in the summer, when the weather is consistently warm. If it's still cold, watermelons should be grown in a greenhouse or provided with greenhouse conditions.

Since watermelon seeds have a thick skin, it's important to prepare them for germination. This is done using water at 45 degrees Celsius. The seeds are placed in a thermos, covered with warm water, and left to soak for several hours. Afterward, they are wrapped in damp cheesecloth, placed in a plastic bag, and left in a warm place, opening the bag periodically to allow oxygen to enter.

Once the seeds begin to sprout, you can prepare the soil for planting. Any resource on growing watermelons in the Moscow region recommends planting only sprouted seeds; otherwise, they may not germinate. If done correctly, the seeds will germinate within a week. Plant one seed at a time, 3 cm deep. The seedlings should be grown in a warm location and watered with warm water.

Planting in the ground

When seedlings When the watermelon is five weeks old, it can be planted in a greenhouse or outdoors, covered with plastic. Space the seeds about a meter apart. Planting should be deep, surrounded by a mound to ensure proper water distribution during irrigation.

How to ensure proper care

Growing watermelons in the open ground in the Moscow region requires specific care. The bushes must be trained by hand. When the sixth or seventh leaf appears, the first pruning should be done above the fifth leaf, and the second after the fruit sets. The apical buds, which will bear fruit, must be pinched off. If you have any shoots without fruit, it's best to remove them before wasting energy on them.

Pollination should be done manually. Ideally, one to three fruits should be produced per plant; the plant may not tolerate more in the Moscow region. Fertilize two to three times every ten days, diluting the fertilizer in three liters of water. Maintaining the correct temperature is crucial: you can cover the beds with a covering material at night. Water once a week, but thoroughly, and stop when the fruits stop growing.

Tip! To speed up the ripening of a watermelon that has stopped growing, position the fruit so the stems are facing upward.

It's easy to tell when watermelons are ripe: the rind lightens, the pattern becomes clear, and the surface of the fruit becomes shiny. In the Moscow region, watermelons are typically ready to harvest in late summer, when the leaves begin to turn yellow.

Growing watermelons outdoors in the Moscow region won't yield large fruits. However, harvesting your own watermelons weighing around three kilograms is entirely possible. Don't worry: the flesh will be sweet, juicy, and red.

Is it possible to grow watermelons in the Moscow region? Of course, it's possible. While caring for this crop is different, it's fairly straightforward. The key is to prevent the plant from freezing, and water and sunlight will take care of the rest.