Watermelon is a thermophilic plant with a long growing season. When cultivating it, many factors should be taken into account, especially if the cultivation of watermelons in the North-West of Russia is to be done. It is important here not only to take into account and follow the rules of agricultural technology, but also to choose the right variety, it must be early or ultra-ripe.

Growing watermelons and melons

Watermelons and melons are thermophilic crops and require temperatures ranging from 28 to 32 ° C to develop. Of course, the cultivation of watermelons in the North-West of Russia does not occur on an industrial scale, but experienced gardeners on their plots cope with the task.

Watermelons, like melons, are capable of ripening in open field conditions, but they are often grown in greenhouse conditions. In the selected region, the following varieties are considered the most fruitful:

  • Sugar baby;
  • Russian size;
  • Silver handsome;
  • Favorite of the Pyatigorsk farm;
  • Kai F1;
  • Stokes 647/649.
Silver handsome

Silver handsome

Melons for planting require a place well-lit by sunlight. For better yields, it is worth planting melons in the beds after cultivating potatoes, cabbage or onions. You should also pay attention to the type of soil - it should be sandy or sandy loam.

Advice! If the soil in the area is heavy, you can add peat or sand to it, which will allow the culture to grow in more comfortable conditions.

Seeds must be prepared before planting: soak in melt or rain water so that they hatch. It is necessary to plant prepared seeds in pots with a diameter of 100 mm or a greenhouse. Before the first shoots appear, the air temperature should be from 27 to 30 ° C, then you can reduce it to 20-25 ° C.

Provide direct sunlight for seedlings. It is also worth feeding it with complex mineral fertilizers at least twice. After the appearance of 3 or more leaves, you will need to plant watermelon seedlings in a permanent place.

Note! To grow a full-fledged harvest of watermelons in the Leningrad Region, you will definitely need to prepare healthy and strong seedlings.

Planting watermelons in a greenhouse

Planting watermelons in a greenhouse

Planting watermelons in a greenhouse

Growing watermelons in central Russia in the open field

Many novice gardeners are interested in the question of how to grow a watermelon in the Leningrad region in a greenhouse. To do this, you must follow the following rules:

  • The key to success is the right variety. You can not plant species that are grown in regions with a warm climate. It is more advisable to choose early maturing varieties.
  • It is imperative to plant melon seedlings in the greenhouse along the walls. This is due to the culture's need for good lighting and heating. It is also worth paying attention to the spacing between plants (at least 0.5 m), otherwise adult crops will shade each other.
  • It is necessary to plant plants in a greenhouse only after the soil reaches a temperature of at least 18˚С.
  • After the appearance of a female flower, pollination will be required. In an enclosed space, the optimal time for this is 10.00 to 12.00 in the morning. The procedure must be carried out at least 2 times.

Note! In the same way, watermelons can be grown in the Moscow region, its climatic conditions are also not distinguished by high temperatures.

How to care for watermelons and melons in Northwest Russia

Growing watermelons in the Urals in a greenhouse

It is necessary to grow watermelons in the northwestern region of the Russian Federation in greenhouses on trellises.But for full development and obtaining a good harvest, it will be necessary to ensure proper care:

  • After the fruits reach an impressive weight, it is necessary to put cardboard or wooden boards under them to protect them from rotting. Some inventors even hang each watermelon separately on tights or in a net.
  • During the period of berry growth, weekly feeding is required. Both mineral and organic fertilizers are suitable.
  • During the growth of the melon bush, the side shoots must be pinched, it will also be necessary to do this with the top after reaching 1.5 m.
  • No more than 2 fruits should ripen on one bush.
Bountiful harvest

Bountiful harvest

It is necessary to grow each crop correctly, in compliance with all recommendations, and then at the end of August or at the beginning of September it will already be possible to taste the ripe delicious fruits.

Tips and tricks for gardeners

Planting watermelons in open ground

Pollination must be performed as follows: pick the male flower and remove the corolla from it, and then attach the stamens to the pistil of the female flower. From this point on, the culture grows much faster.

To make the watermelons sweet, the plant requires a lot of sunlight and heat. In about a month, it is worth stopping watering so that the fruits gain sugar content, otherwise they will be watery.