Melon planting and care outdoors in the Urals

Many owners of household plots located in the Urals dream of growing a nutritious and tasty berry - melon - in their gardens. In truth, not many gardeners in the Urals can boast of an excellent harvest of this melon crop.

This is due, first of all, to the fact that the climate of this region is rather severe and cold, and the summer warm period is rather short. The consequence of these natural conditions is that the fruits of the melon do not have time to ripen.

To help the gardeners of the Urals who want to grow melons on their plots, in this article we will try to set out as much as possible the tips and recommendations for growing this melon crop, and also indicate which varieties are most suitable for the Ural region.

How to choose the right varieties

Fragrant and tasty melon grown in the Urals

It's probably no secret to anyone that melon is a very thermophilic plant. Therefore, in the southern regions of the country, all kinds of varieties of this melon crop can be grown. As for the choice of seed for the Urals region, there are several recommendations for the correct selection of melon varieties.

First of all, you need to know that due to the cold natural climate of the Ural region, you need to choose seeds of melons of early and mid-early varieties so that the vegetation of the plant is invested in a short summer period.

The most optimal sowing material for melons are the following varieties of this melon crop:

• "Dream of Sybarite". This variety is rightfully considered ultra-early ripening, since the period from germination to the first ripe fruits is only 50–55 days. From one melon bush of this variety, about 15–20 fruits can be harvested per season, the average weight of which is 350–450 grams.It should also be noted that the melon of this species is a medium-sized plant that bears fruit until the first frost. The fruits of this variety are oval with green stripes, and the flesh is white, very sweet and juicy;
• "Cinderella". This melon variety is rather early maturing, because the growing season is no more than 60 days. Has a fairly high level of productivity. Fruits weighing one kilogram have a yellow rind with a convex mesh pattern. This melon crop is of medium size, therefore very easy to care for;
• Melon of the Kolkhoznitsa variety. The fruit of this variety is spherical, the flesh is firm and sweet. The variety is resistant to temperature extremes. From germination to the appearance of the first fruits, as a rule, it takes 2-3 months;
• "A pineapple". This is a medium-ripening melon variety. The skin of the fruit is orange and oval-round. The mass of melons ranges from 1 to 1.8 kg. A feature of this variety of melons and gourds is that the stem has a few female flowers, so there is a need for pinching the plant;
• "Iroquois". The ripening period for this variety is 70–80 days. The fruits are oval in shape with a yellow-green peel, and their weight ranges from 1.1 to 1.6 kg. The peculiarity of this melon variety is that the plant has a strong enough lash. Accordingly, the average yield is 7 kg / m2;
• "Gold of the Scythians f1". The ripening period for this melon hybrid is 75–85 days. Fruits weighing 1–1.5 kg have a round shape with a yellow skin. The yield is 6 kg / m2;
• "Tamanskaya". This variety of melons and gourds is considered to be early maturing, since the ripening period is 50–75 days. The fruits are oval and yellow in color, and their weight ranges from 0.5 to 1.2 kg;
• "Delano f1". This is an early ripe hybrid, as the first harvest is harvested 50–55 days after transplanting. The fruits are oval in shape, and their weight can range from 2 to 6 kg. This melon variety has good disease resistance.

Thus, we have indicated only the best varieties of melons that are optimal for planting in the Urals region.

Soil preparation

Preparing the soil for planting melon seeds

An important aspect of good melon growth is preliminary soil preparation in the selected area.

To do this, you need to perform a number of the following actions:

• in the fall, it is good to dig up that part of the land on which the melon is planned to be planted;
• simultaneously with digging, it is good to add a sufficient amount of humus or nitrogen-containing fertilizers;
• before planting melons and gourds in the spring, the selected area is carefully cultivated, and organic fertilizers are applied.

Worth knowing: pre-winter fertilization significantly increases the fertility of the land.

When the soil for planting melons is ready, you can proceed to seed treatment.

Seed preparation

Soaking seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate

Today there are many ways of pre-sowing treatment of melons and gourds. Let us describe the most polar methods that do not require significant investment and labor costs:

• the seed is placed in a container and poured with warm saline for about a day, while the greatest effect can be achieved when sprouts begin to appear;
• melon seeds are soaked for 10 hours in a special solution, which consists of zinc sulfate and boric acid, and then slightly dried in a warm place;
• the seed is soaked for half an hour with a solution of potassium permanganate, and then wrapped in a damp cloth, wrapped in polyethylene and placed in a warm place until sprouts appear.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated in the pre-sowing seed treatment, so every gardener can do it with his own hands.

Seedling care

Growing melon seedlings

In the Ural region, the cultivation of melons is most efficiently carried out by seedlings (about planting melons for seedlings is described in detail in

this article

).

This statement is based on the fact that for all the coldness of the climate, the melon culture will be much more protected from weather "surprises" and the time spent in the open field will be significantly reduced.

Melon seedlings care operations include the following important points:

1. Pots for melon seedlings are preliminarily prepared. It is desirable that the volume of these containers is approximately 300-400 ml. This is due to the fact that in this case, the root system of melons will develop well.
2. The pots are filled with a mixture, which in equal proportions consists of soil, peat, humus and sand. At the same time, it is also worth soaking this mixture well with warm water.
3. The presoaked and processed seeds are planted one at a time in each pot.
4. When the first shoots appear, all seedlings are carefully examined and less weak ones are removed. It is also worth knowing, in order to protect the seedlings from the appearance of diseases, it is necessary to sprinkle the surface of each pot with wood ash.
5. A key step in the effective growth of melon seedlings is regular watering, preferably with rainwater.
6. Two weeks after the appearance of the first shoots, the plants are fed with a solution of mullein or chicken droppings, the concentration of which should be no more than 5%.

From the above operations, we can safely conclude that proper care for the seedlings of melons will guarantee a good harvest of delicious melons in the future.

We recommend reading the article about

dried melon

.

And here you can familiarize yourself with the technology of growing the Amal melon.

Planting and caring for melons

Planting melons in a permanent place

It is worth noting one important point: melons and gourds in the Ural region can be grown both in open ground and in greenhouses. He talks about growing melons in a greenhouse

our next article

.

Care for melons in these cases is practically the same, but special requirements are imposed on the microclimate of greenhouses, which consist in the following important points:

• a stable daytime temperature regime should be maintained at a level of 30 ° C, and a night one - not lower than 17 ° C;
• air humidity should not exceed 60%;
• regular ventilation should be established.

So, the care and cultivation of melons in the Ural region consists of the following sequential operations:

1. In the selected area, holes are broken according to a 70x90 scheme.
2. From the pots, the melon root is carefully pulled out along with the earth and transferred to the hole.
3. For the first five days, the planted seedlings will require special attention. For example, in case of frost, the sprouts must be covered with foil.
4. The land on the site must be constantly loosened, and weeding is necessary in the aisles to remove weeds.
5. It is necessary to carry out regular watering of melons and gourds, and the intensity of water application should be increased during the period of the appearance of flowers, as well as when the ovary of fruits appears. Watering stops when the melons begin to pour.
6. If melons and gourds are planted using seedlings, then feeding is enough to carry out three times with an interval of 10-14 days.
7. It is necessary to prune the stem in time. It is worth noting that many people do not understand why this operation is performed. And the bottom line is that when the first 4–6 true leaves appear, the main stem of the plant needs to be bunched, so that there was a possibility of lateral shoots growing. This is due to the fact that the main stem contains more male flowers, and the lateral ones are female.
8. Artificial pollination should be done when insects are poorly performing this process. To do this, the flower is plucked from the main stem, and successively touches the flowers on the lateral shoots.

Summing up all of the above, we can safely say that it is quite possible to collect a good harvest of melons in the Ural region if you adhere to all the recommendations of experienced specialists in the field of agronomy. We hope that our article was useful, and in the future you will collect a wonderful harvest of fragrant melons in the Urals.

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Melon is a popular culture that is successfully cultivated all over the world. Therefore, having your own plot and the desire to create with your own hands, attention should be paid to the cultivation and rules of planting in the open field of this favorite summer-autumn delicacy so that it can look healthy and with a wonderful taste.

In different regions, you can sow the melon directly with seeds, or plant it first for seedlings. Cultivation and care must be carried out regardless of the terrain, it may also be necessary to form and, feed or tie to a trellis.

Is it possible to grow melons in the open field in the country

Melon is a thermophilic plant that need a lot of light... She does well in hot weather and even drought. The maximum moisture content for this culture is 60-70%.

The culture has a massive root system that is capable of extracting moisture up to one meter deep. This plant requires a lot of free space for intensive development and comfortable growth.

Although the melon is southern, it can be grown almost anywhere, the main thing is to know how to do it. Now a sufficient number of varieties have been bred that take root and bear fruit in moderately warm and cold climates.

The most popular varieties of melon to plant in the Middle lane and Ukraine

There are many varieties of melons with different characteristics for outdoor use. It is important, when choosing a variety for planting, to take into account the peculiarities of the local climate.

According to the reviews of experienced gardeners, the best varieties to plant in a country house in central Russia or Ukraine, in the climatic conditions of the Moscow region are Altai and Kolkhoznitsa.

Altai

Altai

Early maturity, allows you to harvest after 70 days growth of culture from the period of seedling formation. A medium-sized plant forms a moderate length of a whip.

The fruits are golden in color and are oval-shaped. The ability to achieve 1.5KG... The delicate pulp is colored in a light orange color, characterized by sleepiness, sweetness and graininess.

Of the positive characteristics: adaptability to adverse weather conditions, excellent transportability and keeping quality.

Collective farmer

Melon belongs to the early maturing variety. The first crop can be harvested after 75 days after disembarkation.

The plant forms small orange-yellow round fruits with a convex stalk attachment. On average, the weight of one fruit is 1.5 kg. The dense pulp and strong crust makes it easy to transport the crop, which can be stored after harvest for a week.

Collective farmer

Growing a heat-loving vegetable is difficult in areas with a harsh climate, such as Siberia.

In such conditions, only certain varieties can grow, which include Rannyaya 133 and Yantarnaya.

Early 133

Early ripe variety, growing season - 60-70 days... The fruit is oval-shaped and has a yellow skin. Has a white, dense, tender, sweet pulp of excellent taste and aroma. The weight of one fruit is approximately 1.5KG.

It is appreciated for its excellent commercial qualities, good transportability and high immunity to major crop diseases.

Early 133

Amber

Variety of mid-early ripening period. The growing season from germination to ripening of melons 70-85 days... A plant with long strands of medium vigor. Juicy spherical fruits with juicy, fairly thick pulp and weight up to 2.5 kg.

Amber

What varieties are suitable for sowing in Bashkiria and the Urals

Vegetable growers of the Urals and Bashkiria wishing to grow melons on their plots should choose a more suitable variety for the Ural region. The ideal seed material for melons is the Dream of Sybarite and Cinderella.

Sybarite's dream

An early variety that reaches technical ripeness in 50-55 days... The fruits have an original elongated shape and a green striped peel. The mass of one fruit is 400 g.

Juicy crispy flesh of a whitish shade with a specific honey aroma and taste. The main advantages are increased productivity, continuous fruiting until frost, good disease resistance.

Sybarite's dream

Cinderella

The variety belongs to early ripening crops, since the growing season is 60 days, for which the fruits are gaining up to 1.5 kg weight.

Melons are yellow with a raised mesh pattern. The pulp is white in color and is characterized by juiciness and sweetness. Due to its rich aroma, it is appreciated in the culinary business.

The advantages include high resistance to temperature extremes, various diseases and pest attacks. The disadvantages are short storage and poor transportability from the rather thin crust of melons.

Cinderella

Planting rules

There are several ways to plant a crop:

• sowing seeds;
• seedling method;
• with the help of grafted seedlings.

The simplest available method for any gardener is seed planting in open ground. Other options are considered more difficult and not everyone can do.

Preparation for planting with seeds

To obtain a high-quality harvest, competent preparation of seeds for sowing is important. You can buy planting material in special stores or collect it yourself from the fruit grown in your own garden and germinate it at home.

When collecting seeds at home, you must follow the basic rule: harvest only from large sweet melons.

Seeds should only be harvested from large sweet melons.

One more nuance is important: only in the third year after collection you can use seeds as planting material. Since fresh specimens develop a plant with the absence of female inflorescences, as a result of which they do not have the ability to bear fruit.

In order for the seedlings to be friendly, and the plants to develop strong, seed material is needed pickle in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for an hour. Then soak at 20-25̊ degrees in a thick layer of gauze cloth, which is immersed in a container so that the water only slightly covers the seeds.

Every 4-6 hours, the seeds must be ventilated and immersed in water again. The total soaking time is 12 hours. Then sprinkle the seeds in a thin layer on a damp cloth and keep until the first shoots appear.

Site selection and soil preparation for planting seedlings

Melon is a light-loving plant that hates shading... Therefore, for this culture, areas well-lit by the sun, as much as possible protected from cold winds, are suitable.

Melon does not tolerate shading when grown

When planning the planting of a melon beauty in the garden, you need to take into account what crops grew in the garden last year and the neighboring influence of different plants on the melon. As predecessors can be garlic, onion, cabbage, peas, beans, winter cereals.

Good neighbors that will repel pests, improve taste and promote growth are considered turnip, basil, radish.

It does not get along well with potatoes, which can cause them to wilt and cucumbers, since the plants can be mutually dusty and become bitter in taste.

The plant is not recommended to be planted in one place. more than two years... It will be possible to return it to its previous place of growth without sacrificing yield for 5 years.

Melon is very demanding on the soil, so a light, organic medium loamy soil with neutral acidity is suitable for it.

The plant cultivation area must be properly prepared:

• autumn land dig a shovel on a bayonet and add humus, in the presence of heavy soil, saturate it with river sand;
• with the onset of spring, sprinkle the bed, using peat or ash to accelerate the melting of snow, then cover it with a film to ensure maximum heating of the soil;
• when the surface layer of the soil warms up to a temperature of +13 degrees, conduct deep loosening with the addition of potash and phosphate minerals, strictly observing the amount of fertilizers applied, which the manufacturers indicate on the packages;
• before starting the planting process, re-dig the site, refueling with fertilizers that contain nitrogen.

Conditions for proper cultivation and care

Gardeners are recommended to plant a melon in the ground only in the southern regions. In the northern latitudes and in the middle lane, it is better to grow only using mature seedlings, because the melon can have time to emerge from the seeds, but will not bear fruit before the cold weather. Favorable time for disembarkation - last days of April.

To do this, you need to perform the following procedure, care and love the plant properly:

1. Make holes, 5-6 cm deep. Planting scheme - 1 m between rows, distance in a row 0.7 m.
2. Equip each hole with humus and irrigate with warm water.
3. Place 3-4 seeds in each hole.
4. Water the planted seed material and cover it with dry soil.

It is better to carry out the planting process after rain in moist soil, then the seedlings will form earlier. If a cold snap is expected, cover the beds with foil before sprouting at night.

Planting melon seedlings in the ground

The fruits are ripening late July - early August... When ripe, the vegetable acquires its characteristic color, the pattern is clearly revealed and the characteristic aroma inherent in melon appears. Full maturity is signaled by easy separation from the peduncle.

According to the gardener's lunar calendar in 2018, the melon planting process can be started on March 27,28, from April 20 to April 24 and in May any day from the 19th to the 23rd.

The key to the successful cultivation of melons and gourds is sunny warm weather, when pollination and the development of sugary juicy fruits are actively taking place. It is important to choose a suitable variety and follow simple agricultural techniques, dive and pinch seedlings if necessary, and then a rich increase in the yield of melons is ensured.

Melon cultivation by natural farming in the Urals is a simple matter!

Melon - a wonderful gift from nature, which, when properly grown, gives people health and beauty. Whichever melon variety you choose, the southern beauty will surely give you a good mood!

But this statement, about the southern one, is no longer so believable for me, after I have been getting a good melon harvest in my URAL garden for many years without straining!

Many gardeners still consider it unrealistic to grow a melon or watermelon in their garden. But why? Maybe you lack knowledge or information?

Melon is a must-have! Now you will find out why ... I will open 7 little secrets melon growing, and you remember, notice and apply ... for HEALTH!

Secret number 1.

Do-it-yourself melon is very useful!

I would even say curative! For the female body it just works wonders: Strengthens hair, gives youth to skin, strengthens hard tissues and nerves.

It can serve as a beach diet, because this berry is low in calories! Yes, yes - a melon, although it is considered a melon, along with a pumpkin, is still considered a berry!

It helps to improve an even and lasting tan! Melon can improve memory, relieve depression and insomnia. And for the cardiovascular system, it is generally an irreplaceable storehouse of vitamins.

For men she is also very useful, especially its seeds, if chewed no more than 2 g per day with raw honey - excellent aphrodisiac! 

And its most interesting property is that it raises the mood !!!

So

melon

should grow in every garden!

Secret number 2.

Melon farming is very simple!

Peppers are harder to grow than melons. It does not require any extra costs. It grows easily and naturally, but if it is formed correctly, of course. Even our short Ural summer is quite enough for its ripening!

We soak the seeds on April 20, the sowing depth is 1.5 cm, the germination temperature is +25 - 30 degrees. Twenty-day

seedlings

with two true leaves, transplant into the ground.

Immediately around the seedlings, we install heat accumulators near the root. These can be plastic water bottles or stone. Melon loves warmth! And the bed immediately

mulch

! This will help conserve moisture in the soil, prevent weeds, and provide the necessary nutrition.

Secret number 3.

Correct formation of a melon is a guarantee of a harvest!

As soon as 4-5 true leaves have appeared on the melon, the main stem must be pinched. Fruits are formed only on lateral shoots.

Now we follow the development of the lateral branches. A large number of fruits will begin to tie on each side lash! But you do not need to leave everything, but 2 fruits on each branch.

In total, leave no more than 6 fruits on the bush. We remove the rest of the peduncles so that they do not take food. We also pinch the excess lashes.

We wait until after the second fruit 6 leaves grow and we also pinch this lash. This completes the formation. Now the fruits are starting to pour.

Secret number 4.

Proper watering of the melon is a guarantee of the harvest!

From the moment of planting, the melon must be constantly watered, but not poured. At the time of fruit ripening, it needs a sufficient amount of moisture. Melon grows for about 60 days.

Therefore, water until the fruits stop growing. Usually they do not grow more than 1.5 - 2 kg. As soon as they have reached the desired size, we stop watering. Melon begins to gain sweetness and sugariness!

Secret number 5.

Protecting melons from negative influences!

Melon does not like the wind, so make sure

wind protection

... But she just needs the sun! Still need

protect fruits from excess moisture ... To do this, you need to put some kind of board under them. In principle, if you constantly mulch, then your melons will always be warm and dry.

Secret number 6.

Do I need to feed the melon?

Yes! Melon needs to be fed.

The second top dressing is at the time of setting the first fruits.

The third subcortex at the time of pinching of the lateral lashes.

And the fourth before the end of watering!

Secret number 7.

Melon Features!

Melon has a very valuable property! If you take it off unripe, then it ripens in the process of lying in a warm, dry room. We quietly eat melons until the New Year!

P.S. Today they sell a huge selection of seeds

melons, but the most delicious varieties are

"Honey", "Fairy Tale", "Iroquois", "Caramel",

"Gold of the Scythians" ... I do not recommend "Kolkhoznitsa" - this is the worst variety, after which you will no longer want to grow melons.

Choose your variety, try to grow - I'm sure - YOU WILL HAPPEN !!!

Growing melons in the open field: variety selection, planting and care

Who doesn't love juicy and flavorful melon? There are many varieties of them. They can vary in flavor, size, and shape, but they all want to grow in hot, sunny climates. But gardeners and gardeners have nevertheless adapted to care for this wonderful plant in the conditions of our climate. Growing melons outdoors requires some knowledge and skills. However, like caring for any other culture.

This plant does not tolerate excess moisture, but it also does not fear the direct rays of the sun. This article will look at how melon is grown outdoors. Varieties, planting and care depending on climatic conditions - all this will be described in detail.

Cooking the right site

Everyone knows that a fragrant beauty from the south will not tolerate any garden that comes across. It is necessary to prepare such a piece of soil so that your melon will love it. Growing in the open field requires the start of preparatory measures in the fall. In September, the garden bed on which melons will grow in the future should be well dug up. This does not need to be done to a great depth. Digging on a shovel bayonet is considered sufficient. Fertilizers are also needed. To do this, use humus at the rate of four kilograms per square meter of area. If the soil is clayey, then river sand should also be added to it. For one square meter, as a rule, half a bucket of sand is used.

What to do with the seeds? Preparatory stage

To get good seedlings, you need to prepare the seeds. You can simply purchase them in the store or prepare yourself. For a good harvest, choose seeds that are three or even four years old.

They must be large. Seeds should be treated with boric acid and zinc sulfate. In such a solution, they should be soaked for twelve hours. Growing melons outdoors also involves hardening the seeds. To do this, they need to be immersed in water at a temperature of thirty-five degrees, removed, then held for twenty-four hours in conditions when the ambient temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. Then the temperature is lowered little by little until it drops to zero. In this mode, the seeds are kept for another twenty hours and the temperature is again raised to twenty degrees. This entire procedure is repeated three times in the last seven days before the day the landing is scheduled.

Seedling

Seeds for seedlings are sown in pots made of plastic or cardboard. They are filled with a nine to one planting mixture of peat and sand, and one glass of wood ash is added per ten liters of soil.

In each pot, you need to plant two or three seeds at a depth of five centimeters. All this should be placed where the temperature during the day is at the level of eighteen degrees Celsius, and at night it does not drop below fifteen. Future plants should be kept in such conditions until the first shoots appear. As soon as the first shoots appear, and this is about a week later, it is necessary to select one of the shoots, the strongest, and remove the rest.

After the appearance of the fourth leaf, the plant must be pinned. This will stimulate the formation of side shoots. When watering seedlings, make sure that no water gets on the leaves and stems. The seeds are sown in April and the melons are transplanted into the ground after twenty-five days.

Landing

Growing melons in the open field requires preliminary preparation of the beds. Small depressions are made in the soil. The distance between them should be about eighty centimeters. In no case do not plant your seedlings during the frost period. Better wait out this time. In this process, the most important thing is not to damage the root system. Plant the sprouts along with the soil in the pots.

Water is poured into each hole and a little manure is added. Plant seedlings in such a way that the stem does not go deeper. When all the seedlings are planted, it must be watered and sprinkled with dry earth. During the first two days, it should be in the shade. Thanks to this, the melons will take much faster. Cover the seedlings with foil to prevent exposure to temperature fluctuations during the day and night, and to protect the plant from rain.

Features of varieties. Melon Kolkhoz Woman. Outdoor cultivation

There are different varieties of melons. Let's take a look at some of them.

The Alushta variety ripens within seventy days. Melons are large and oval in shape.

They are orange-yellow in color, with stains on the surface of a dark orange hue. The melon pulp is white in color and has a sweet taste.

Melon Dessert of a smaller size, has a shortened-oval shape. The pulp is white, with a greenish tinge, very juicy and sweet. The difference of the variety is in long-term storage after harvesting.

A southerner is a variety characterized by round fruits of a fairly large size (up to two kilograms). Has a high sugar content.

The most popular option for growing in central Russia is the Kolkhoznitsa variety.

Melons of this variety are round and orange in color. By weight, they reach one kilogram. The pulp is very sweet and light, colored white. This variety is sown for seedlings at the end of April, and in mid-May it is already planted under film.

Cultivation of melons in the Moscow region in the open field begins no earlier than when the seedlings are 35 days old. It is allowed to grow a culture in a grown. But in this case, it is necessary to put a material that is resistant to moisture under the melons. This prevents spoilage of the fruit. It is necessary to observe the regularity of watering, as well as weeding. This melon is fed with organic and mineral fertilizers.

Soil care

The soil on which the melon grows needs special care. It must be loosened. The first two times should be loosened no deeper than fifteen centimeters, and the next time - ten centimeters. Do not loosen the soil too close to the plant stem. When the first side lashes appear, they spud the melon. To do this, screw the earthen roller to the stem of the plant.

Watering features

Water the melons as sparingly as possible. If there is dew on the grass in the morning, then the melon should not be watered at all. If moistening is still carried out, then it is necessary to do it very carefully and between the rows. Do not under any circumstances allow water to come into contact with leaves and stems.

Topping

The plant experiences the first pinching in a state of seedling. Re-pinch the melon after adaptation in the ground above the seventh leaf. The same should be done with the side branches. In the future, it is necessary to remove all unnecessary flowers. There should be three tied fruits, spaced apart from each other. All shoots that do not have fruits are subject to destruction. They should not be drawing juice from the main plant.

Fertilization

The first feeding of the melon must be done as soon as two weeks have passed after planting in the ground. Saltpeter, chicken manure or mullein are introduced. The plants are fertilized every ten days. Use complex feeding with the addition of ash or chicken droppings. Fertilizing is stopped as soon as the fruits begin to ripen. Weeding is done only if necessary. The lashes should be directed in their growth so that they do not fall between the rows, and a piece of plywood should be placed under each melon. This will save the fruit from decay.

How to care for melons depending on where they grow

Depending on where you are going to grow melons, some points in caring for this plant may differ. For example, growing melons outdoors in Siberia requires good hardening of the seeds before sowing. This exercise increases the cold hardiness of the melon and also promotes earlier fruit emergence. Hardening of seeds can be done using variable temperatures, or resort to short-term freezing.

Sawdust, coarse sand or other leavening agents must be added to the soil. Melons are planted in areas that not only warm up well and are illuminated by the sun, but are also protected as much as possible from the cold winds of the North. Of great importance for the melons growing in Siberia is artificial pollination, which is carried out in the morning.

Melon cultivation in Belarus in the open field also has its own characteristics. Not every species is capable of producing a good harvest in these climatic conditions. Therefore, the most important thing is to choose the right variety. European varieties with a growing season of less than seventy days are considered the best option. Melon seedlings in Belarus are planted only in the first decade of June. The soil is plowed deeply and carefully weeds are fought, resorting to continuous semi-steam cultivation.

Consider also the cultivation of melons in the Urals in the open field. This plant is grown in harsh conditions together with tomatoes and cucumbers exclusively in greenhouses. Seedlings are planted only when the soil warms up to fourteen degrees. Waterlogging of the soil is not allowed.

As soon as the melons reach the size of an apple, they are placed in nylon nets, which are attached to the trellis. The degree of maturity of the fruit is determined by the color change and the appearance of the aroma.

So, we have analyzed how the melon is grown in the open field. And although the main activities for planting and caring for this plant are similar to each other, there are still certain nuances in different regions. Choose the right melon variety for your area and adhere to the rules of caring for this crop. And then you will surely be rewarded with delicious and aromatic fruits of a sunny color.

Watermelon: growing in the Urals is possible

Watermelons in the Urals: growing

Usually, amateur gardeners, choosing watermelons as a garden crop for growing on their plot, make every effort to make them especially large and juicy, and certainly sugar. But in reality, despite the care, regular watering and loosening of the soil, watermelons often do not meet the expectations of their owners, growing small, inconspicuous and tasteless. Many, after a failure, no longer dare to make a choice in favor of such a berry as a watermelon. Growing such a culture in the Urals is a rather troublesome business that requires compliance with the basic rules. It is much easier, according to some gardeners, to take care of other plants that do not pose such problems. In order to grow a watermelon, a high air temperature is required, therefore only a hot summer with enough sunlight is favorable for such a berry to grow large, juicy and velvety.

Growing features

If the weather is rainy and cool throughout the summer, it is impossible to get a large and sweet watermelon. For this reason, growing in the Urals presents some difficulty. Steppe watermelons have an incredibly pleasant taste and natural aroma, which hybrid varieties are deprived of, which can withstand not very favorable climatic conditions. The watermelon plant has a powerful root system, which gradually develops as it grows, it is with its help that the berry receives all the necessary nutrients. For the correct penetration of powerful roots into the depths, sandy loam soil is required. It is important to remember that "heavy" soil prevents the full growth and development of the plant as a whole. Weeds are especially dangerous for such berries, which can lead to its death. In this case, it does not matter in what area the plant is grown.

Seeds, soil

All weeds must be weeded on time and regularly, removed from the soil on which the watermelon grows. Growing such a berry in the Urals may well turn out to be promising, provided it is properly cared for. All seeds that have defects cannot be sown, since they will not produce a high-quality harvest. In order not to be disadvantaged, it is recommended to buy seeds exclusively from reputable organizations. Dense soil must be loosened.Before planting a watermelon, seeds should be germinated, for which they need to be poured with water, the temperature of which is no more than sixty and not less than fifty degrees. Then the water is drained, after which the seeds are soaked again and wait for germination. With the right approach and organization of gardening, a fairly juicy watermelon grows. Growing in the Urals is possible only in a good summer. Plant seeds are usually stored in a warm place since the last month of summer. It is recommended to treat them with a manganese solution (dark) for fifteen minutes and rinse them. An ash solution can be used overnight. If the berry is grown in a greenhouse, you can get an especially rich harvest. In a greenhouse, it is quite possible to grow a large number of fruits, four times the yield under normal conditions.

Landing

During planting, a distance between the rows of two meters is observed, which will make it possible to get large watermelons. Growing in the Urals does not differ in its rules from those followed by gardeners in other areas. Sow no more than ten seeds per meter per row. The most powerful plants should remain, the depth of the hole is eight centimeters, at least one liter of water must be poured into it. After absorbing the earth, the seeds are laid in the hole, sprinkled with soil, trampled. There is no need to water immediately after planting. First, water the plant for its best growth, after which watering should not be frequent (up to three buckets of water once every fourteen days).

How to choose the right varieties

Fragrant and tasty melon grown in the Urals

It's probably no secret to anyone that melon is a very thermophilic plant. Therefore, in the southern regions of the country, all kinds of varieties of this melon crop can be grown. As for the choice of seed for the Urals region, there are several recommendations for the correct selection of melon varieties.

First of all, you need to know that due to the cold natural climate of the Ural region, you need to choose seeds of melons of early and mid-early varieties so that the vegetation of the plant is invested in a short summer period.

The most optimal sowing material for melons are the following varieties of this melon crop:

• "Dream of Sybarite". This variety is rightfully considered ultra-early ripening, since the period from germination to the first ripe fruits is only 50–55 days. From one melon bush of this variety, about 15–20 fruits can be harvested per season, the average weight of which is 350–450 grams. It should also be noted that the melon of this species is a medium-sized plant that bears fruit until the first frost. The fruits of this variety are oval with green stripes, and the flesh is white, very sweet and juicy;
• "Cinderella". This melon variety is rather early maturing, because the growing season is no more than 60 days. Has a fairly high level of productivity. Fruits weighing one kilogram have a yellow rind with a convex mesh pattern. This melon crop is of medium size, therefore very easy to care for;
• Melon of the Kolkhoznitsa variety. The fruit of this variety is spherical, the flesh is firm and sweet. The variety is resistant to temperature extremes. From germination to the appearance of the first fruits, as a rule, it takes 2-3 months;
• "A pineapple". This is a medium-ripening melon variety. The skin of the fruit is orange and oval-round. The mass of melons ranges from 1 to 1.8 kg. A feature of this variety of melons and gourds is that the stem has a few female flowers, so there is a need for pinching the plant;
• "Iroquois". The ripening period for this variety is 70–80 days. The fruits are oval in shape with a yellow-green peel, and their weight ranges from 1.1 to 1.6 kg. The peculiarity of this melon variety is that the plant has a strong enough lash.Accordingly, the average yield is 7 kg / m2;
• "Gold of the Scythians f1". The ripening period for this melon hybrid is 75–85 days. Fruits weighing 1–1.5 kg have a round shape with a yellow skin. The yield is 6 kg / m2;
• "Tamanskaya". This variety of melons and gourds is considered to be early maturing, since the ripening period is 50–75 days. The fruits are oval and yellow in color, and their weight ranges from 0.5 to 1.2 kg;
• "Delano f1". This is an early ripe hybrid, as the first harvest is harvested 50–55 days after transplanting. The fruits are oval in shape, and their weight can range from 2 to 6 kg. This melon variety has good disease resistance.

Thus, we have indicated only the best varieties of melons that are optimal for planting in the Urals region.

Our next article tells about the secrets of growing aikido melon.

Soil preparation

Preparing the soil for planting melon seeds

An important aspect of good melon growth is preliminary soil preparation in the selected area.

To do this, you need to perform a number of the following actions:

• in the fall, it is good to dig up that part of the land on which the melon is planned to be planted;
• simultaneously with digging, it is good to add a sufficient amount of humus or nitrogen-containing fertilizers;
• before planting melons and gourds in the spring, the selected area is carefully cultivated, and organic fertilizers are applied.

Worth knowing: pre-winter fertilization significantly increases the fertility of the land.

When the soil for planting melons is ready, you can proceed to seed treatment.

Seed preparation

Soaking seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate

Today there are many ways of pre-sowing treatment of melons and gourds. Let us describe the most polar methods that do not require significant investment and labor costs:

• the seed is placed in a container and poured with warm saline for about a day, while the greatest effect can be achieved when sprouts begin to appear;
• melon seeds are soaked for 10 hours in a special solution, which consists of zinc sulfate and boric acid, and then slightly dried in a warm place;
• the seed is soaked for half an hour with a solution of potassium permanganate, and then wrapped in a damp cloth, wrapped in polyethylene and placed in a warm place until sprouts appear.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated in the pre-sowing seed treatment, so every gardener can do it with his own hands.

Seedling care

Growing melon seedlings

In the Ural region, the cultivation of melons is most efficiently carried out by seedling (the planting of melons for seedlings is described in detail in this article).

This statement is based on the fact that for all the coldness of the climate, the melon culture will be much more protected from weather "surprises" and the time spent in the open field will be significantly reduced.

Melon seedlings care operations include the following important points:

1. Pots for melon seedlings are preliminarily prepared. It is desirable that the volume of these containers is approximately 300-400 ml. This is due to the fact that in this case, the root system of melons will develop well.
2. The pots are filled with a mixture, which in equal proportions consists of soil, peat, humus and sand. At the same time, it is also worth soaking this mixture well with warm water.
3. The presoaked and processed seeds are planted one at a time in each pot.Advice for gardeners: if the seeds are dry, then it is advisable to plant three seeds in each container. This is done in case some seeds may simply not sprout.
4. When the first shoots appear, all seedlings are carefully examined and less weak ones are removed. It is also worth knowing, in order to protect the seedlings from the appearance of diseases, it is necessary to sprinkle the surface of each pot with wood ash.
5. A key step in the effective growth of melon seedlings is regular watering, preferably with rainwater.
6. Two weeks after the appearance of the first shoots, the plants are fed with a solution of mullein or chicken droppings, the concentration of which should be no more than 5%.

From the above operations, we can safely conclude that proper care for the seedlings of melons will guarantee a good harvest of delicious melons in the future.

We recommend reading the article on dried melon.

And here you can familiarize yourself with the technology of growing the Amal melon.

Planting and caring for melons

Planting melons in a permanent place

It is worth noting one important point: melons and gourds in the Ural region can be grown both in open ground and in greenhouses. Our next article tells about growing melons in a greenhouse.

Care for melons in these cases is practically the same, but special requirements are imposed on the microclimate of greenhouses, which consist in the following important points:

• a stable daytime temperature regime should be maintained at a level of 30 ° C, and a night one - not lower than 17 ° C;
• air humidity should not exceed 60%;
• regular ventilation should be established.

So, the care and cultivation of melons in the Ural region consists of the following sequential operations:

1. In the selected area, holes are broken according to a 70x90 scheme.
2. From the pots, the melon root is carefully pulled out along with the earth and transferred to the hole.
3. For the first five days, the planted seedlings will require special attention. For example, in case of frost, the sprouts must be covered with foil.
4. The land on the site must be constantly loosened, and weeding is necessary in the aisles to remove weeds.
5. It is necessary to carry out regular watering of melons and gourds, and the intensity of water application should be increased during the period of the appearance of flowers, as well as when the ovary of fruits appears. Watering stops when the melons begin to pour.
6. If melons and gourds are planted using seedlings, then feeding is enough to carry out three times with an interval of 10-14 days.
7. It is necessary to prune the stem in time. It is worth noting that many people do not understand why this operation is performed. And the bottom line is that when the first 4–6 true leaves appear, the main stem of the plant needs to be bunched, so that there was a possibility of lateral shoots growing. This is due to the fact that the main stem contains more male flowers, and the lateral ones are female.

   Melon formation scheme

8. Artificial pollination should be done when insects do this process poorly. To do this, the flower is plucked from the main stem, and successively touches the flowers on the lateral shoots.

Summing up all of the above, we can safely say that it is quite possible to collect a good harvest of melons in the Ural region if you adhere to all the recommendations of experienced specialists in the field of agronomy. We hope that our article was useful, and in the future you will collect a wonderful harvest of fragrant melons in the Urals.

See video about growing melons in the Urals:

Today, it is the greenhouse conditions that allow the gardeners of the northern regions to grow a good yield of melons. It should be noted that the cultivation of watermelons and melons in a greenhouse is characterized by some technological features of the cultivation of these thermophilic plants.

Technology features

Melons, along with watermelons, are deservedly popular. Melon and watermelon cultivation technology does not differ significantly. Particular attention should be paid to the correct choice of quality seed material.

It is not very difficult to grow greenhouse melons in the Siberian climate.And the key to a good harvest and high-quality fruits is a strong seedling, optimal composition of greenhouse soil and proper care throughout the growing season of melon and other greenhouse melons.

Particular attention should be paid to the competent choice of high-quality seed material.

Description of varieties

Today in Siberia you will not surprise anyone with self-grown watermelons and melons. Even beginner gardeners manage to grow these melons. However, the yield of greenhouse melon and watermelon is highly variable by cultivar. The most suitable melon varieties for indoor cultivation are the following.

• Early maturing variety for growing in a greenhouse "Barnaulka"... Melons of this variety are characterized by a regular shape, slightly elongated and completely covered with a net of fine cracks. The maximum weight is one and a half kilograms. The pulp is creamy orange in color and has a good taste. The variety is very resistant to high humidity in the greenhouse.
• Melon variety Altayskaya, specially zoned for cultivation in the Altai Territory. External qualities are similar to the "Barnaulka" variety. The variety is distinguished by its early maturity and the presence of thin, short lashes, which makes it easier to care for the plant. The maximum weight of round or oval fruits is no more than two kilograms. The bright yellow or white flesh is juicy and sweet.
• Greenhouse cultivar "Amber"... It is characterized by excellent taste and elongated shape. The fruits are not very young, and the standard shelf life does not exceed twenty days.

Melon variety "Altai" specially zoned for cultivation in the Altai Territory

In addition to the above varieties, melon varieties such as "Early-133", "Hybrid", "Dessert", "Dream" and "Golden".

In the difficult climatic conditions that distinguish Siberia, it is recommended to grow the following varieties of watermelons in a greenhouse.

• Early ripening variety Stokes-647 with rounded fruits, the mass of which does not exceed two kilograms. The thin bark is dark green in color with very dark stripes. The pulp is very juicy, pale pink in color. The taste is excellent, but the variety cannot be transported or stored.
• A super early ripening and popular variety in the Siberian region "Hybrid-45"... A high-yielding variety with excellent taste, which can be grown not only in a greenhouse or greenhouse, but also on open ground ridges.

In addition, consistently high yields and resistance to adverse weather conditions are characteristic of varieties and hybrids. "F1-Gift to the North", "Cinderella", "F1-Charleston near Moscow", "Ultra-early", "F1-Krimstar" and "Siberian".

How to grow a watermelon in a warmth (video)

You may also be interested in the article to which we talk about how to choose a variety and grow a melon in a greenhouse.

Landing rules

Correct preparation of seed is carried out as follows:

• melon seeds must be soaked in a special stimulating solution for at least twelve hours;
• watermelon seeds should be soaked in warm salted water for 24 hours.

When cultivating plants, it should be borne in mind that watermelon is more demanding on the thermal regime than other melons and melons. Watermelon seeds start growing at a temperature of at least sixteen degrees. The optimum temperature for watermelon and melon is twenty-five degrees. The seeds planted on seedlings are well moistened and covered with glass or a film, which is removed after the sprouts appear.

As soon as the ovary begins to grow, you should pinch the lashes and leave no more than eight leaves after the forming fruit

Greenhouse soil preparation should begin in May. It is necessary to dig square holes in the greenhouse, into which layers of humus and soil are poured.After the soil has thoroughly warmed up, holes should be made in the filled layers, into which the seedlings are transferred. Seedlings of watermelons and melons should be transplanted as carefully as possible and with a lump of earth. The maximum depth of seedlings should not be more than five centimeters.

Care features

Caring for melons in a greenhouse is simple and consists in observing the following recommendations.

• Greenhouse melons and watermelons do not need regular and abundant watering. It is possible to determine the lack of moisture in the soil by the withering leaves of cultivated melons and gourds. However, excessive greenhouse humidity often causes the formation of ovary cracking;
• Growing watermelon and melon lashes need to be laid out to prevent plexus. At the beginning of July, there is a massive flowering of melons. Initially, male-type flowers are formed, and a little later female flowers appear, which are distinguished by the presence of a small ovary under the flower itself;

Greenhouse watermelons do not need regular and abundant watering

• Greenhouse cultivation requires not only compliance with temperature and humidity indicators, but also regular ventilation, which allows pollinating insects to freely enter the greenhouse. If the percentage of natural pollination is very low, then manual pollination of melons should be performed. To this end, you need to pluck the male flowers and carefully apply them to the female ones. This procedure should be performed several times during the entire flowering period;
• As soon as the ovary begins to grow, you should pinch the lashes and leave no more than eight leaves after the developing fruit. If the plantings suffer from strong thickening, then at the next stage all side shoots are removed. In addition, excess ovaries are also subject to removal. It is recommended to put wooden or plastic boards under the growing fruits;
• A high-quality harvest can only be obtained with the use of fertilizers. Most often, fertilizers are used for feeding, represented by manure, humus, wood ash, bird droppings, as well as nitrogen mixtures;
• It is allowed to use potassium chloride, ammonium nitrate and phosphorus fertilizers in a standard dosage for such plants.

Low temperatures, high humidity and insufficient lighting make greenhouse melons and gourds vulnerable to diseases and pests.

Diseases and pests

Low temperature indicators, high humidity and, especially, insufficient lighting, weaken melons and gourds greenhouse crops and make them vulnerable to the following diseases and pests:

Tell me, what kind of melon ripens better in the Urals? And when to plant seedlings?

Natalia Solovieva

Agrofirm Biotekhnika has a melon specially for your climate, a hybrid Gerda. Bred for cold climates.
The collective farmer and the pineapple in your climate will not have time to ripen and will not be tasty. Look for zoned varieties.

Igor vertogradov

Have watermelons been grown in the Urals for a long time?

Irina Shabalina

For seedlings, one month before the expected disembarkation. Varieties — the earliest, medium-sized — now the choice is large —- Imperial, Pineapple, Early Love, Honey Ball, a very reliable variety Kolkhoznitsa.

Natalia Zakharova

Pineapple, Gold of the Scythians, Collective farmer. They are early ripening, so they will ripen with you. I plant through seedlings, grow in a greenhouse.

Elena Gubaidullina

Buy Kolkhoz Woman Seeds