How to Grow Watermelon That's Sweet and Juicy This Summer

Many watermelon growers plant as soon as possible in the season so they can market the crop early, when prices are high.

The problem, however, is that watermelons, particularly seedless varieties, require a warm temperature (25°C to 35°C) to germinate.

The good news is that you can give the seed a helping hand by pre-germinating it early in the season when the weather is cooler.

Whether you intend planting the seed directly into the soil or into seed trays, pre-germination is worth the effort as it gives you a quick, uniform start. This does not apply to hybrid and seedless watermelons, however; these usually go into seed trays in a warm environment.

An effective way to pre-germinate seed is to use an electric blanket:

Place a sheet of plastic, followed by a few sheets of newspaper, on one half of the blanket;
Wet the newspaper and sprinkle the seed onto the moist paper;
Cover with a few more sheets of newspaper, and moisten;
Place another sheet of plastic on top, and fold the other half of the electric blanket over the layers.

Experiment with the blanket settings in advance to ensure the temperature stays constant within the given parameters of 25°C to 35°C.

It’s a good idea to insert a few seeds the day before you insert the main batch, keeping the control sample separate.

Add the main batch, but watch the control sample for signs of root emergence. Once the control sample starts germinating, the main batch is ready for planting. If the temperature is right, germination will usually take between three and five days.

Spacing can be done on the square (in a grid pattern) or in rows. I prefer rows as this allows for easier mechanical cultivation.

The row width depends on the vigour of the variety. Use 2m inter-row spacing as a rule of thumb. You can go closer with some icebox types and a bit wider for very vigorous types.

The plants should be about 50cm apart within the row, but this can be increased up to 90cm if you are planting a vigorously growing variety.

Direct sowed watermelon germinating strongly with only a single light drink

Correct moisture

If planting expensive seed, try to determine the lowest population that can be used for the variety before the yield decreases. Plant the seed about 15mm deep into moist but not sodden pre-irrigated soil.

With pre-germinated seed and soil at the correct moisture level, the seed should emerge with little or no irrigation. This is a big advantage when planting into soil that crusts easily.

In the cool season, form small east-west ridges and plant on the north side of each ridge. The raised soil faces the sun’s rays directly and becomes warmer than soil on a level surface.

Using transplants

When transplanting, pre-irrigate the plugs, ensuring that the medium is wet enough to prevent the root hairs from drying out at planting. Damaged root hairs will increase the chance of fusarium wilt.

Author Bio:

Bill Kerr is a vegetable specialist and a breeder of a range of vegetables.

Growing Cabbage in Zimbabwe and Zambia

Growing cabbage in Zimbabwe and Zambia requires careful consideration of the climate and soil conditions, as well as proper planting and care techniques. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to successfully grow cabbage in these regions. From the ideal temperature and soil pH requirements to pest and disease management, as well as harvesting and storage techniques, you will find all the information you need to cultivate healthy and abundant cabbage crops. Read on to discover the key takeaways from each section. Key Takeaways Understanding the ideal temperature and soil pH requirements is crucial for successful cabbage cultivation. Proper watering and irrigation techniques are essential for maintaining healthy cabbage plants. Choosing the right cabbage varieties for the specific region can significantly impact crop yield. Careful soil preparation, seed sowing, and transplanting techniques are important for successful cabbage planting. Effective pest and disease management ...

Staking and Pruning Tomatoes in the Home Garden

Staking and pruning tomatoes are essential practices for maintaining healthy tomato plants in the home garden. By selecting the right tomato varieties, preparing the garden properly, and employing the correct staking and pruning techniques, gardeners can ensure a bountiful harvest of delicious tomatoes. This article will provide key insights into staking and pruning tomatoes to help you achieve successful growth in your garden. Key Takeaways Select disease-resistant tomato varieties to prevent common plant diseases. Amend the soil with organic matter for optimal tomato growth and fruit production. Properly stake tomato plants to support their growth and prevent damage from heavy fruit loads. Regularly prune tomato plants to remove suckers and maintain airflow, which can improve fruit quality. Avoid over-pruning tomato plants as it can reduce yield and stress the plants. Selecting the Right Tomato Varieties Determining Your Growing Conditions ...

Chinese Cabbage Production

General Requirements Chinese does well in warm seasons of the year. Optimum temperatures for growing are 20ºC to 25ºC, with minimum temperatures of 18ºC and maximum 30ºC. A well-managed chinese crop should yield 5 tons per Lima with a leaf cutting period of 40 to 50 days. First leaves can be harvested 21 days after transplanting. Land Preparation/Soil Type Deep well-drained loamy soils with a pH range from 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal for Chinese cabbage. Effective rooting depth is 60cm. Plough and disc to a 60cm fine tilth seedbed. Avoid planting Chinese cabbage on land previously planted to other brassicas for at least one season. Planting and Transplanting Sow directly by drilling in the farrows 1 to 2cm deep or raise seedlings in nursery beds and transplant 4 to 5 weeks later. Transplant during the cool part of the day (early morning or late afternoon) to avoid wilting of the plants. Space the plants at 20cm between plants and 60cm between rows to give a plant population...

Zambia Agribusiness Society

Search This Blog