A watermelon plant thrives best in a warm and humid climate. Watermelon plants need good sunlight and have to be well watered. You could either sow the seeds or buy saplings from a nursery. Some of the popular varieties of watermelon include Charleston Gray, Triple Crown, Crimson Sweet, Sugar Baby and Black Diamond. Here are a few tips to grow watermelons in your backyard.
When you plan to cultivate watermelons, choose an area that has good sunshine and is protected from winds. However, make sure there is ample air circulation in the space you have selected.
Next important step is to make the soil fertile by adding organic fertilizer and tilling it well. A sandy, fertile loam that retains moisture, yet is well drained is the best soil for the cultivation of watermelons. You prepare the soil by adding manure, compost and leaves and blending it well with the soil by tilling. Water the patch regularly to keep it moist. This is the done prior to either sowing or transplanting the watermelon saplings.
If you are using seeds, soak them in compost tea for a few minutes prior to sowing. Make small hills in the watermelon patch. Plant a couple of seeds in each hill by making a hole of 1-inch depth. However, if you are transplanting the saplings, remove them from the polythene cover in which they were initially grown. Slowly place them in 1 to 2-inch deep holes. Remember to allow space between two plants. Continue reading
