How to choose a variety and grow a watermelon in the Urals

What varieties are suitable?

So how do you grow watermelons in the Urals, and which varieties of this healthy berry are best to plant? The secret lies in timing and careful planning of the planting time.

To date, special varieties of watermelons have been developed for the Urals. These are small, cold-hardy varieties that include Crimson Sweet, AU Producer, Honey, Sugar Baby, and Ultra Early. These Ural melon varieties are successfully grown in the northern regions.

Preparation and planting

The cultivation techniques for this crop remain unchanged, even in northern regions. There are two cultivation methods. The first is germinating seedlings in a greenhouse; the second is growing watermelons in open ground.

The first method is suitable for those who have access to greenhouse watermelons in the Urals. Growing seedlings yields an earlier and more reliable harvest than plants grown from seeds. Watermelon seedlings should be planted earlier than in the southern regions and the Primorsky Territory. Mid-April is the best time for this. Overall, the entire process takes up to 70 days.

To properly plant seedlings, you need to prepare fertile soil. For this, use a mixture of peat, compost, and ash. Mix everything, warm it up, and place it in fairly large cups. It's important to remember that these plants don't tolerate transplanting—their roots are highly susceptible to physical deformation and pest infestation.

Before planting, both in open ground and in greenhouses, soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours along with a growth activator solution.

You can also add fungicides to all of this. Next, move the dried seeds to a warm place to see the first shoots in 6 days. Replant the crop. Water generously. Fertilize on the 10th and 24th days. Before planting, it's a good idea to harden off the seedlings. Transplant them when the fifth leaf emerges and the soil temperature is above 17 degrees Celsius.

How do you grow seeds directly in open ground? To do this, you'll need to delay planting until the weather becomes more or less consistently warm. Soak the seeds for 24 hours, then prepare the soil by adding fertilizer, compost, and wood ash.

Plant three plants per square meter using a pattern. Place the seeds 5 cm deep and cover with transparent film. If your plants will be in full sun, provide moderate shade.

Care Features

In fact, caring for watermelons in northern regions isn't much different from any other. There are five simple rules that, if followed, will make growing this crop easier and ensure a bountiful and delicious harvest. Rule one: water your plants no more than twice a week, otherwise you could expose them to unwanted diseases. Rule two: if you're growing watermelons outdoors, be sure to cover them at night. This crop doesn't tolerate sudden temperature fluctuations very well.

Rule three: You'll have to pollinate the first flowers yourself, as watermelons in this region don't have natural pollinators. Use a male flower to fertilize the female flowers. They're easy to distinguish because there's a small watermelon underneath. Rule four: To prevent the fruit from rotting, place a flat, level surface underneath them, such as a board or chipboard. Rule five: Make sure no more than three ovaries form on a single stem; otherwise, all the berries won't ripen properly and won't reach the required weight.

Difficulties in growing

Planting watermelons in the north isn't as difficult as it might seem, despite the fact that this crop is typically grown in the Primorsky Krai. This is especially true if you have the opportunity to grow them in a greenhouse. By following all the above guidelines, you'll be able to grow fruitful plants even in the Ural climate. Generally, the difficulties associated with growing watermelons are related to cold conditions, so if you protect the plant from freezing and ensure regular but not excessive watering, you won't encounter any difficulties. Your planted watermelon will quickly sprout and delight you with a tasty and nutritious harvest.

Video "Watermelons in the Urals"

This video will show you how to properly plant watermelons in the Urals.