How to water watermelons in open ground: frequency and rules of watering

Watermelon - a melon crop that prefers a subtropical climate, therefore it grows well in the southern regions of the country. If you care for it properly, water it often and abundantly, you can grow a rich harvest in regions with a temperate climate.

How to water a watermelon in open ground - we'll figure it out in this article.

Features of watering watermelons in open ground

Watermelon needs proper watering throughout the entire period of growth and development. The frequency and abundance of moisture depend on climatic conditions and soil composition.

Irrigation volume and frequency

The volume and frequency of watering depend on the growth phase of the plant.

Only planted seeds need daily soil moisture. When sprouts appear, they are watered every other day. Seedlings planted in the ground are irrigated according to the same principle. 5 liters of water are used per plant.

The closer to moment of fruit ripening, the less often the melon crop is watered. In this case, 2 times more water is used. Watering is gradually stopped, but the soil is not allowed to dry out.

Advice. To prevent the fruits from spoiling, straw should be placed under them.

Nuances of watering depending on the growth phase

Insufficient watering can cause the fruits to crack and become deformed. Excessive humidity will lead to the development of fungal infections and poor taste.

The melon crop needs high-quality watering at each stage of development:

1. Landing. For seedlings, watermelon seeds are planted in separate containers so that in the future, when separated, the roots of the plants do not become intertwined and damaged. The container should have a volume of 0.5-1 liter. Small holes are made at the bottom of the container to allow excess liquid to flow out. Seeds are watered every day with 50-500 ml per plant. When the shoots appear, they are moistened every other day.
2. Transplanting. The seedlings are planted in the ground after three weeks, when 3-4 leaves have formed on the plants. Watering continues every other day. About 5 liters of water are poured under each plant. If the soil remains moist until the next watering, reduce the frequency of irrigation to twice a week.
3. Bloom. During this period, the melon crop is watered 2 times every 7 days. At least 10 liters are spent on each bush.
4. Fruiting. During fruit formation, the crop is watered in the same way as during flowering - 2 times a week. Irrigation should be stopped a week before harvest.

How to tell if a watermelon needs watering

When watering watermelons according to a specific schedule, it is worth considering that climatic conditions, rain and soil composition affect the frequency of watering of the melon crop.

The soil should not dry out at a depth of 7-10 cm. To check this, you need to dig up a handful of soil from this depth. If the soil crumbles when compressed, the plant needs urgent watering. If a lump forms, the crop does not require moisture.

How to properly water watermelons in open ground

The taste and size of the fruit depend on proper watering. You should take into account the temperature of the water and the time of day - with improper irrigation, the melon crop gets sick.

Water the watermelon with warm, settled water at ambient temperature (at least 20°C). You can use rainwater for irrigation if you can collect it.

Important! Cold water will cause the plant to die from root rot.

An adult plant requires 10 liters of liquid, young seedlings need 5 liters.

For ease of watering, the liquid is placed in a large reservoir and left to bask in the sun throughout the day. It is best to irrigate in the evening or early morning.

Watering during the day is strictly contraindicated for melons. In the heat there is a risk of developing bacterial and fungal infections.

Watering rules:

1. Watermelon is watered only with warm water in the evening or morning. The liquid is poured strictly at the root; the leaves should not get wet. After this, the soil is loosened.
2. After each watering, the crop is fed. Moistened soil receives maximum nutrients.
3. The sprinkling method is not suitable as the leaves begin to rot.
4. In a small area, watermelon is watered from a watering can to control the amount of moisture.
5. The best method of watering melons and melons is drip irrigation.

Drip irrigation of watermelons

The drip irrigation method involves installing special pipes connected into one system throughout the site. Each hose has holes through which water flows to the plants.

This method allows you to regulate the volume of water supplied and its temperature. To do this, additionally install a thermostat or take water from a container already heated in the sun.

Drip irrigation is carried out 3 times in 7 days. If the weather is hot, it is allowed more often; if it is cold, watering is reduced to 2 times a week.

Reference. When watering for 5 hours, the soil is moistened to a depth of about 60 cm.

In the process of drip irrigation, water flows under the root of the plant without affecting the leaves, and the soil is not washed away.Drip irrigation saves water and time and allows you to combine the procedure with fertilizing.

Advice from experienced gardeners

In order to harvest tasty and sweet watermelons at the end of the season and avoid common mistakes, you should listen to the advice of experienced gardeners:

1. Depending on the climatic conditions, the irrigation method is chosen - manual or drip.
2. If there has been heavy rain, the soil should be moistened after 4 days. To prevent excess moisture during rain, the beds are covered with film.
3. After loosening the soil, mulch with fresh grass. This will protect the crop from weeds and retain moisture in the upper layers longer.
4. To ensure that the fruits grow and ripen quickly, sourdough is used as a top dressing. Crusts of bread are poured into a bucket and filled with water, and oppression is placed on top. The mixture is left to ferment for a week. Before use, the solution is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3. A week before harvesting, the plants are watered with it.

Read also:

How can you test watermelon for nitrates at home?

Is watermelon good for the liver and can it be eaten if you have liver diseases?

How to make simple and tasty watermelon and melon jam.

Conclusion

Watermelon is a heat-loving plant that requires regular watering. With proper care, melons can be grown in temperate climates. At each phase of development, observe the frequency and abundance of watering. The closer to ripening, the more water the crop requires. Plants are watered in the morning and evening; irrigation is contraindicated during the daytime.

The drip method is suitable for watering crops. The liquid gets directly under the root, does not erode the ground and does not injure the leaves.