How to water watermelons and melons in open ground

Most people who grow watermelons and melons in their own plots believe that because these crops grow in fields, they don't need moisture, or at least only a minimal amount. In reality, it's often due to irrigation errors that they fail to achieve a healthy harvest.

Before you decide to plant melons, you need to study the specifics of caring for them, familiarize yourself with the rules and frequency of watering.

Do watermelons and melons need to be watered?

Watering is essential! Melons require this throughout the growing season. Watering should only be stopped a few days before harvest.

The frequency of watering depends on the type of soil, the presence or absence of a nearby body of water, the groundwater level, and climatic conditions.

Black soil is considered ideal for watermelons and melons, and sandy soils are also suitable for growing due to their looseness. However, loamy soils are best used for growing other crops.

It's best to locate the bed on a flat surface or slightly elevated. Lowlands can become waterlogged, which is detrimental to melons.

A bountiful harvest can only be obtained if the root system of watermelons and melons is provided with sufficient moisture and air.

How to determine when watermelon and melon need watering

Melons require adequate watering. This means that both too little and too much water will only cause harm.

If moisture levels are low, seed germination will be poor, and flowers will fall off. Plants will produce few or no ovaries. If watering is insufficient during fruiting, watermelons and melons will crack and dry out, and even ripened ones will have poor quality and deformed fruits.

If there's too much moisture, the flowers will bloom excessively. This confuses gardeners, and instead of adjusting the frequency of watering according to recommendations, they begin to water even more frequently. This leads to the formation of barren flowers, ovary drop, rot, and waterlogging.

There's no exact watering schedule for watermelons and melons. It needs to be adjusted based on temperature and humidity, the soil moisture content of groundwater, and the quality of previous watering.

You can check whether your plants need water by checking the soil moisture level at a depth of 10-12 cm. Simply dig a little, take a small amount in your palm, and squeeze it. If the soil is moist enough, it will stick together like play dough. If it crumbles in your hands, watering is needed immediately.

How often should I water watermelon and melon seedlings?

To get a melon harvest as early as possible, don't sow them directly into the garden beds; instead, grow seedlings. Choose larger pots to allow the root system to develop properly. Ideally, choose pots with a capacity of 500-1000 ml. These can be flower pots or peat containers. The latter option, although slightly more expensive, is preferable. Using peat containers not only provides additional nutrition but also protects the roots, which, despite their strength, are quite sensitive and fragile.

Sow the seeds in well-moistened soil. Then, mist the soil daily with water using a spray bottle. Watering should continue after the seedlings emerge. The water should be warm and only fall on the soil. It's crucial to prevent waterlogging in the pots, which requires drainage at the bottom.

The amount of water needed during watering depends on the age of the seedlings. Initially, 30-50 ml is sufficient, later increasing to a glass, and by the time they're transplanted into the soil, each seedling should be watered daily with 500-700 ml.

Watermelon and melon seedlings are transplanted when they are 18-21 days old. Each seedling should have at least 3-4 leaves.

How often to water watermelons and melons in open ground: watering chart

Two days before transplanting the seedlings to the garden bed, water the soil thoroughly, so that the soil remains moist for two days without watering. The seedlings themselves in the pots should also be thoroughly moistened. After transplanting to their permanent location, the melons should not be disturbed for two days. On the third day, watering resumes daily, increasing the amount to 3 liters per plant.

Once flowering begins, reduce watering frequency. Watering should be done no more than twice a week, but each plant should receive at least 8-10 liters of water. Water slowly to ensure the moisture is distributed evenly and reaches the deep roots, rather than simply soaking into the surrounding area.

The root system of melons is located at a depth of 50 cm, and the deeper the root, the more important its role is for the development of the entire plant.

Melons should be watered in the evening, although it can be done in the morning if the daytime weather isn't too hot. The key is to keep the water warm and away from the above-ground parts of the plant.

Once buds begin to form, watering frequency is reduced even further. Now, watering is done every 7-12 days, and if it rains, the interval can be extended by another five to six days.

Irrigation of melons and gourds in open ground

10-12 days before harvest, watering is stopped completely, and if the rainy season has begun, it would be a good idea to provide additional cover for the melons to prevent the fruits from becoming too watery and losing their flavor and aroma.

How to Grow Watermelons and Melons with Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation is gaining more and more popularity. Its undeniable advantages include:

• stable supply of moisture to each plant;
• moisture penetration exclusively under the roots;
• significant water savings.

Many people prefer to purchase a ready-made drip irrigation kit. It consists of a main and additional hoses, valves, and plugs. This system simply needs to be connected to a water source and ready to use. However, it does have a drawback: the number of hoses required and their length. Also, ready-made systems often have pre-drilled holes, so you'll need to use these holes as a guide when placing the holes, not the plantings.

You can build a drip irrigation system yourself. To do this, you need to plan the placement of the hoses, calculate how many meters you need, lay them out in the garden beds, connect them to the main hose using union nuts, and install plugs at the ends. You can install a valve only on the main hose, or, if the system is permanent, you can install valves on each additional hose.

You don't necessarily need hoses to create a drip irrigation system. You can use plastic bottles. Bury them in the ground next to the plant, unscrewing the cap and cutting off the bottom. Water is poured through the bottom, and it gradually soaks into the soil. Just remember how much water each melon requires, and stock up on large containers. Each should hold at least 10 liters, but barrels are better.

The principle of drip irrigation

Drip irrigation helps gardeners ensure watermelons and melons receive sufficient water, which reaches the roots, which is crucial. To ensure the water has time to heat up, use a large, dark-colored barrel. To ensure sufficient pressure, it should be positioned slightly elevated.

Drip irrigation system device

Installing a drip irrigation system doesn't require hiring specialists. The key is to have everything you need, and you can do the installation yourself, even without any skills.

A secure platform must be provided for the barrel, and a hose must be connected to it to draw water from a water supply or well. Then, a filter must be installed (preferably at both the inlet and outlet).

Where the outlet hose will be located, make a hole of the required diameter, install plugs and a tap.

Run several branches from the main hose, connecting the system with nuts. If the area is large, it is recommended to also install a faucet on each branch hose. This will make it easier to regulate watering.

Install plugs at the end of each hose and make holes near the plants.

Don't try to save money by purchasing the necessary drip irrigation components. The more reliable the structure, the longer it will last. It will need to be installed at the beginning of the season, and then dismantled and stored at the end.

Growing watermelons and melons yourself isn't difficult at all. To ensure the fruits are tasty and healthy, store well, and prevent disease, learn the watering recommendations.