Growing watermelons in the open field and greenhouse in Siberia: planting and care

Watermelons are hardy crops that are easy to grow. But plants are also heat-loving, and give a good harvest only when grown in hot southern regions. Growing varieties of watermelons in Siberia is rarely successful. The climate in such regions is unfavorable for melons. It is possible to grow a berry in a greenhouse, but even so, the yield is not always high.

The best varieties for growing watermelons in Siberia

Siberia is characterized by short and cold summers, the climatic conditions in these regions are not suitable for growing gourds in garden beds.Growing watermelons will only work in a greenhouse. It is also important to choose a variety that is suitable for cultivation in adverse climates.

Varieties for planting in Siberia:

1. Spark - the fruits of this variety grow small, up to 2 kilograms. The variety is not demanding in care and tolerates cold summers. The spark is considered one of the most common varieties in Siberia.
2. Ultra-early variety is suitable for planting in Siberia. The growing season of this variety is 80 days. Watermelons have juicy and sugary flesh. The fruits do not grow large, there are few lateral lashes on the bush. Suitable for growing in glasshouses.
3. Super early Dyutina - a variety with large watermelons, the weight of which is from 4 to 6 kilograms. The plant belongs to the early ones, the growing season is only 60 days. The peel is thin, painted green, with light green stripes.Shelf life after collection is no more than a month

Before planting crop seeds, you need to carefully read the packaging. It should indicate that the crop is suitable for growing in adverse climatic zones.

How to grow watermelons in a greenhouse

The secrets of growing berries in a greenhouse in Siberia should be known to every summer resident who wants to grow large and sweet fruits. It is preferable to build a greenhouse from polycarbonate.

It should be located in sunny areas, protected from strong winds. The berry cannot stand strong winds.

You need to grow only those varieties that tolerate cold snaps. Ordinary varieties of watermelons will not be able to produce a crop in such conditions. The optimal height of the greenhouse is 1.7 meters. Scourges of watermelons often curl upwards along the trellises.

Calculation of emergence dates

To learn how to properly care for plants, you must first calculate the timing of seedling germination. In most cases, you do not need to calculate dates yourself. The germination period is indicated on the seed package. The timing of the emergence of seedlings depends on the variety of watermelon.

Planting seeds

It is necessary to plant watermelon seeds in open ground in the last days of May, when the ground has warmed up by more than 14 degrees. Before planting seeds, the soil is watered abundantly.

Then you need to make holes in the soil 50 centimeters wide. The depth of the hole is 10 centimeters. The distance between the holes is about 1 meter. If watermelons are planted in peat cups, then they are planted with them. The edges of the cups should be 1-2 centimeters peeking out from under the ground. The first few weeks, seedlings should not be touched.It is necessary to cover the bushes with polyethylene and leave. Just make sure they don't start to fade.

Growing seedlings

Before growing watermelons in a greenhouse, some summer residents prefer to first plant seeds at home and grow seedlings. Before growing seedlings, planting material must be germinated:

1. Dilute a weak solution of potassium permanganate in a saucer.
2. Place the seeds in water and cover the saucer with polyethylene.
3. Sprouts appear after 2-3 days.
4. After that, the planting material is planted in the soil.

If you pre-germinate the planting material, the watermelon sprouts will appear much faster.

Care and watering

Watermelons always form a bush. As the bush grows, the side lashes need to be pinched. You will have to do this often. You need to leave 3-4 strong and powerful lashes, the rest are cut off. The main thing is not to touch the central shoot.

Plants need constant care. It is important to pay attention to watering.

During active growth, bushes need a lot of liquid. They put an automatic sprinkler in the greenhouse and turn it on every day for 3-4 hours.

Harvesting

You can understand that it's time to harvest, according to several criteria:

1. The rind of the fruit does not push through when pressed.
2. A yellow spot remains where the peel and soil meet.
3. If you tap on a watermelon, you hear a dull sound.
4. The stalk has dried up.

All these signs indicate that the berries need to be removed from the site.

Rules for growing gourds in the open field

Growing gourds in the country is not difficult. The only problem is that outdoor watermelons grow well only in the south. It is very difficult to do this in Siberia.

Choosing a resistant fast-ripening variety

First of all, preference should be given to early-ripening varieties of watermelon. Such a feature as an early ripening period will allow you to grow a crop before the onset of cold weather.

The following varieties are suitable for growing in Siberia:

1. Holodok is a mid-early berry variety that is suitable for cultivation in cold regions. The growing season is 80-100 days. The fruits reach a weight of up to 4 kilograms, the shape is slightly elongated, oval. The bushes are characterized by long lashes growing up to 5 meters.
2. Siberian Lights is another mid-early variety, the fruits of which begin to ripen 80-100 days after planting seeds in open ground. It is immune to Fusarium wilt. The fruits are medium-sized, weight is from 1.5 to 2.5 kilograms. The peel is thin, dark green. The flesh is sweet and juicy.
3. You can plant in the open ground variety Raspberry Sweet. An unpretentious variety that produces a crop when grown in an unfavorable climate. The fruits are small, up to 1.5 kilograms. The pulp is sweet, sugary.

Despite the fact that varieties are suitable for outdoor cultivation, it is preferable to plant watermelons in a greenhouse.

Planting seedlings in open ground

Planting material is planted in open ground in late May-early June. The main thing is that the soil warms up to a mark of more than 15 degrees. If you plant seeds in cold soil, they will not sprout. The place for planting seedlings should be located in a sunny area. Bushes need a lot of space, so you need to allocate sections with a length and width of at least 3 meters to the beds.

Before planting, you need to dig up the soil and add 4-5 kilograms of rotted manure. Fresh manure is not recommended. In addition, you should make a complex fertilizer, which includes minerals. Planting seedlings of watermelons in open ground should be exactly the same as in a greenhouse.There is no difference in the method of landing.

Water and fertilize

Particular attention is paid to the formation of a watermelon bush. To maximize yields, side shoots should be pruned regularly. Only strong and powerful whips should be left. The main thing is not to touch the central whip.

During the period of seedling growth, bushes need a lot of liquid. Watermelons prefer sprinkling. Such watering is carried out using a hose with a nozzle.

You need to water the beds in the evening, after sunset. Water the beds every other day. When the inflorescences begin to bloom, watering is stopped. It is important to ensure that the soil is not waterlogged.

Feeding is important to increase yields. Nitrogen is used as a mineral fertilizer. Such fertilizers are necessary to enhance growth. Urea is sometimes used instead of nitrogen. You also need to add phosphorus and potassium to the soil.Among organic top dressings, manure, yeast-based infusions, wood ash and bird droppings are used.

Berry picking

The berries begin to be harvested when they reach biological maturity. According to the rules of agricultural technology, ripe watermelons should have a thick peel and a dried stalk. In order for the crop to be stored longer, it must be kept in a dark, cool room. But for more than a month, watermelons are not stored even if all conditions are met. Especially early maturing varieties. On the floor you need to lay straw in a thin layer, and then lay out the watermelons. Cracked fruits should be eaten immediately. They will not be stored for long.

Some summer residents store watermelons in trenches, but this method is suitable for those who live in the southern regions. In Siberia, night frosts come early and can spoil the harvest.

What challenges might you face

Since Siberia is considered an unfavorable region for growing melons, summer residents who decide to plant watermelons face a number of difficulties. Some of them are impossible to solve.

First of all, it is important to understand that summer is short in Siberia. And hot sunny days are always not enough for the successful cultivation of melons. In such conditions, only early varieties are grown, which are not very sweet. The size of the watermelon will be small. Large fruits in such a climate cannot be grown in any case. Late varieties, which are considered the sweetest, are also impossible to cultivate in Siberia.

Successfully cultivating berries will only work in a greenhouse. In open ground, it is likely that the plants will be weak. And the ovaries will form a little. Growing watermelons in Siberia, although real, is problematic.

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