How to properly plant a melon in open ground

Planting melons and transplanting melon seeds is a common task for Russian gardeners. It might seem like there's nothing complicated about it, and how can you learn anything new about this process? That's a misconception. There are a number of important considerations that, if taken into account, will allow you to reap a truly bountiful harvest in due time. How to plant melons, when to plant melon seedlings indoors, and what aspects a novice gardener should consider—all of this is worth learning in due time.

Content

1 Selecting and preparing a site
2 Seed preparation
3 Growing seedlings
4 Planting in the ground
5 Video: Planting a Melon

Selecting and preparing a site

Planting melons in the ground in June-July begins with the most basic steps: selecting a site for seedlings, as well as a set of agricultural techniques that make the area suitable for growing the crop.

The first thing to consider is that the plot of land should be open, but at least partially protected from strong winds. It's important to prepare it for sowing melon seeds in the fall. To do this, dig the plot and add compost to the soil. Sometimes, owners of small gardens face the following problem: the soil in their garden isn't the right composition for growing crops. For example, the soil may be too clayey. In this case, add river sand.

In the spring, immediately before planting melon seeds, the area is dug up again and fertilizers (phosphates and potassium) are added to it. These nutrient mixtures are available in specialized stores. The proportions in which the ingredients are added to the soil vary depending on the manufacturer. Therefore, carefully read the instructions included with the fertilizer you choose.

Seed preparation

Sowing melon seeds outdoors involves preparing not only the soil but also the seed. To begin, soak the seeds in a salt solution for 20 minutes after planting. Any that float to the surface can be safely discarded. Rinse the remaining seeds thoroughly under running water and dry. Before planting melons outdoors, keep in mind that it's best to use seeds that are two or three years old. Another important step in seed preparation is soaking the seeds in a potassium permanganate solution to disinfect them.

Growing seedlings

Growing melons involves more than just planting and caring for them in the open ground. To ensure a successful harvest, you can sow seeds for seedlings a few weeks before planting. To do this, you'll need to purchase special peat pots or pellets. Add regular garden soil to them. An alternative substrate is a mixture of peat, sand, and wood ash. Plant 2-3 melon seeds in each pot.

To ensure successful melon growing at home, be sure to water the seedlings, but remember: the soil should be moderately moist.

Planting in the ground

Planting melon seeds is the most important step for a gardener. How do you properly plant and grow the seedlings? To do this, you need to water them thoroughly—this will make transferring them from the peat pot into the hole much easier. Keep in mind a key detail: the root collar of the plant must remain above ground, otherwise, the plant may rot later.

Since melons are often susceptible to fungal attacks, it's best to take effective preventative measures right away. Treat newly planted seedlings with river sand. After planting the melons, be sure to cover the seedlings with wet paper for a few days. This will significantly improve the protection of the melons from direct sunlight. This procedure can be completed after two days.

Knowing how to plant melon seeds, what to plant, how far apart to sow them, when to plant them, and when to transplant them will help you grow melons at home. Growing melons from seeds in both Russia and Ukraine isn't particularly difficult during the summer. By following basic recommendations for planting seedlings in the spring, you can plant melon seeds correctly and be pleased with the results.

Video: Planting a Melon

In this video you will hear useful tips on growing melons.