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Watermelons , those sweet and bracing summer kickshaw , can be easily acquire in your own backyard withorganic practices . By following these comprehensive tone , you ’ll enjoya openhanded crop ofjuicy watermelonswhile nurture the environment .

Site Selection and Soil Preparation

Choose a well - run out sitewith mass of sunlight for at least 6 hours per Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . watermelon thrive in loose , sandlike soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5 . rectify the land withorganic mattersuch as compost or manure to improve fertility and drainage .

Planting Seeds

offset seeds indoors 4 - 6 workweek before the lastfrost date . Fill seeded player trays with a seed - starting mixture and sow seeds 1 column inch mystifying . Keep thesoil moistand strong ( 70 - 80 ° degree Fahrenheit ) until sprouting . Harden off seedlings bit by bit before transplant outdoors .

Transplanting

transplantation seedlings into the garden when they have 2 - 3 true leave-taking . Space works 3 - 4 feet aside in row 6 - 8 foot aside . dig out a maw large enough to accommodate the antecedent egg andgently firmthe soil around the stand of the plants .

Watering and Fertilizing

Water deeply and on a regular basis , specially during live and dry weather . Avoid overwatering , as waterlogged soil can conduct to root rotting . Fertilize plant every 2 - 3 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer .

Pollination

Citrullus vulgaris require pollenation to grow yield . If you do n’t have honeybees or other pollinators in your surface area , you may reach - pollinate bytransferring pollenfrom virile flowers ( withyellow petals ) to distaff flowers ( with lowly fruit at the basis ) .

Mulching and Weed Control

Spread a stratum oforganic mulch , such as straw orshredded farewell , around the plants to conserve moisture , suppress weeds , and regulate soil temperature . on a regular basis remove mourning band by hand or practice constitutive herbicides .

Pest and Disease Management

constitutive gadfly and disease direction practices let in :

Harvesting

watermelon are ready to harvest when the rind turns obtuse green and thebottom spotwhere the yield rest on the ground turn sensationalistic . Tap thewatermelon softly ; it should sound vacuous . trim the yield from the vine with a piercing tongue and savor its mellifluous , juicy goodness .

Beyond Conclusion: The Art of Organic Watermelon Cultivation

Growing watermelons organically is arewarding experiencethat not only provides delicious fruit but also lead to ahealthy ecosystem . By bosom these sustainable practices , you ’ll cultivatea thriving watermelon patch while preserving the environment for succeeding generations .

FAQ

Q : How long does it take to grow watermelons organically?A : From seed to glean , watermelon typicallytake 90 - 120 days . Q : Can Igrow watermelonsin containers?A : Yes , but choose alarge container(at least 18 inches in diam ) andprovide tolerable supportfor the vines . Q : What are thecommon pestsand diseases that impress watermelons?A : Common pests include aphids , squash bugs , and cucumber beetles . Diseases admit powdery mold , anthracnose , and fusarium wilt . Q : How can I store watermelons?A : Store ripe watermelonsatroom temperaturefor up to a workweek . Cut watermelons can be refrigerate for 3 - 4 day . Q : Can I usewatermelon seedsfor planting?A : Yes , butsave seedsonly from unfastened - pollinated varieties . intercrossed varieties may not produce identical fruit .