It is believed that melon can be grown only in the southern latitudes with a suitable climate - hot and arid.
However, at present, varieties have appeared that are quite frost-resistant, with a short ripening cycle, which is the best suited for the more northern sections of the country. So, let's try to make out the question of how
to grow a melon in a greenhouse and whether it is possible in the open ground.
Choose a plot
The area where melon planting is planned should be well protected from cold winds and at the same time carefully warmed up by the sun. It is worth taking care of its preparation in advance, since the fall. The soil should be dug to a depth in the bayonet of a shovel and make humus in the proportion of 4 kilograms per square meter. If the soil on the site is loamy, then it should be slightly loosened with river sand. Half a bucket of sand per square meter of soil is usually enough. In early spring, the earth is again dug up and potash and phosphate fertilizers are applied in a dosage in accordance with the instructions. Immediately before planting, you can additionally introduce manure or special nitrogen fertilizers into the soil. Such careful preparation of the soil is one of the secrets in answering the question: "How to grow melon in mid-latitudes?"
Seed preparation
Experienced farmers who are familiar with how to grow a melon in a garden, advise you to pre-prepare the seeds. To do this, they must be placed in a solution of sodium chloride. Unsuitable seeds will float to the surface, and high-quality seeds will remain at the bottom of the tank. The selected seeds must be thoroughly warmed up for several days at a temperature of 40 degrees, or kept in warm water until they hatch.
Landing and growth
Planting seeds must be carried out to a depth of 6 centimeters. In the first weeks, the development of seedlings will be rather slow, since during this period the root system is formed. After the first leaves appear, pinch the top point so that the lateral shoots are activated. With further growth, it is necessary to remove weak shoots, leaving ultimately up to four branches on one bush. As the ovaries form, they also need to be thinned out to increase the yield and taste of the fruit.
Watering
Gardeners who know firsthand how to grow melon in our latitudes recommend using abundant watering once every ten days. Water should be poured under the root. This irrigation schedule is optimal for a young plant. Together with watering during this period, you can make fertilizer for melon. This can be specialized organics or ordinary slurry.
As the harvest ripens, watering should be limited, and two weeks before harvesting, stop completely. This is necessary in order not to spoil the taste and aroma of the melon.
Harvesting
Harvest should be when the fruits have a characteristic color and aroma. Typically, cleaning takes place between August and September, depending on the area. Collect melons should be pointwise, as they ripen. The degree of ripeness of the fetus is easy to verify, just gently press the peduncle - at a ripe melon, it can easily separate.