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Using the appropriate fertilizer and fertilizing Watermelon plants properly is important for success when growing Watermelons. Thanks to this process, you will get the sweetest and juiciest fruits. This article from Garden How will show you all the information about this method.
Why should you fertilize Watermelon?
Watermelons’ quality and productivity can be enhanced with fertilizers. Additionally, it can aid in warding against sickness. The sweetness of the fruit can also be improved by fertilizing at the proper time. To get the most out of your Watermelon plants, use fertilizer properly.
However, there are a few considerations to make when fertilizing your Watermelon plants. You must make sure that you use the appropriate NPK ratio for your needs and that it is applied at the appropriate time.
When is the suitable time for fertilizing Watermelon?
The application of Watermelon fertilizer is not regulated. The soil’s current state and the Watermelon plant’s growth stage both influence when to fertilize.
Young seedlings are the ideal age to nourish Watermelon plants. They will develop stronger and healthier thanks to the fertilizer. You should stop fertilizing once they begin to bear fruit.
Fertilizing Watermelon plants during their fruiting phase is unnecessary because doing so will result in more fruit being produced, which is the opposite of what we want since we want the fruit to get bigger and sweeter. Additionally, fertilizing Watermelons that are more than three months old may result in the melon developing a bitter taste.
Fertilizing Watermelon properly
It’s essential to provide the tree nutrients since it grows robust leaves and produces fruit consistently.
- When the plant has 3–4 genuine leaves, fertilize once. 8–10 grams of urea and 10 grams of superphosphate should be added to 4 liters of water for fertilizing plants. Water in the early morning or cold afternoon.
- Fertilize at the following intervals of 20–25 days. To irrigate plants in the cool of the afternoon, dose 8–10 grams of NPK mixed with 4 liters of water.
- To make sure that the fruit does not have nitrogen residues that are harmful to consumers, fertilizer must end 7 to 10 days before fruit harvest.
After you grow Watermelons from 45 to 60 days, the plant begins to flower and about 20 days later, the first fruit can be harvested. Besides, the next harvest is every 10-15 days to harvest a new litter. There is also a continuous harvest period of 3-4 days to collect a batch of fruit. It is important to pay attention to fertilizing the plants to ensure the isolation period.
What is the best fertilizer for Watermelon?
Chemical fertilizer for Watermelon
Osmocote smart-release plant food flower and vegetable
Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Flower & Vegetable is an excellent choice for all of the stages of its life cycle. The company Osmocote has created a unique granular coating. Water can penetrate this smart-release granule and dissolve the nutrients inside. Then, as temperatures fluctuate and more water is added, the nutrients are gradually released over an extended period of time.
Warmer growth periods result in the release of more nutrients. You can effectively cultivate juicy, tasty Watermelon using Osmocote’s plant food. Furthermore, because of its balanced N-P-K ratio, it provides the proper amount of nutrients for many other plants and vegetables as well.
JR Peters Jack classic all-purpose fertilizer
This fertilizer is an excellent choice for water-soluble nutrients. It has a phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen ratio that is suitable for both the developing and fully developed stages of growth. The water-soluble mixture penetrates the soil and feeds the roots, resulting in fruit that is more robust and healthier. Application tip: Pour water-soluble nutrients directly at the base of the main stem after mixing them. It can be one of the best fertilizers for Watermelon.
Dr earth premium gold all-purpose fertilizer
Growers can feel great about using Dr. Earth Premium Gold All Purpose Fertilizer. As a result of its organic construction, makes it is suitable for both people and animals. The recipe was created primarily to produce fruit and vegetables that are more nutritious. It is ideal for starting your plant and for as it becomes older. It has a mixture of humic acids, sugars, minerals, and trace components that improve the soil’s quality and nourish plants from the ground up. Both GMOs and chicken excrement are absent. Dr. Earth will help plants grow strong vines that will eventually bear ripe, luscious fruits.
Add the granules to the soil and stir. Sprinkle it around the stem and water it thoroughly. The soil will be able to absorb it in this manner, preventing the wind from blowing it away. Make sure that the granules do not come into contact with the plant. This can cause plant and leaf burn.
Homemade fertilizers for Watermelon
Epsom salt
Flat, tasteless Watermelons can be due to a lack of magnesium or boron in the soil. So, fruits will become sweeter. For home garden use, you can use about 6 and ½ tablespoons of Epsom salt and 3 and ½ tablespoons of borax. Then, you mix all with 5 gallons of water. Then fertilizing your Watermelon plants.
Coffee grounds
Coffee grounds enhance the taste of Watermelons. If you use this fertilizer, you get large Watermelon. As soon as they break, grounds will release nitrogen into the soil.
Fish emulsion
If Watermelons are stressed for water or nutrients when setting fruit, they will be smaller and less tasty. So, you can feed Watermelon with a dilute solution of fish emulsion one tablespoon of water per gallon weekly. You can use this for your plant from the seedlings stage until the first female flower appears.
Watering Watermelon
This is one of the essential parts of fertilizing Watermelon plants. The roots of Watermelon plants are fairly deep and effective in drawing moisture from the soil. You should give the plants regular, deep soaks of water until these roots form. If it doesn’t rain in your location for the first three weeks after planting, irrigate your Watermelon patch once or twice a week. Reduce the watering to once every 10 days or so once the seedlings have sprouted. If it rains every 10 to 14 days, you can completely stop watering the vines once they start to spread out.
Use your fingers to delve down about 4 inches into the earth if you’re unsure whether the plants are receiving enough water. At this depth, the dirt should be damp but not wet. Water the plants if they are dry. If it’s damp, give it a few days to dry before checking again. 10 days prior to melons being harvested, completely stop watering the plants. The fruit’s sugars will be able to concentrate as a result, and the flesh will continue to be crisp. This results in a Watermelon that tastes much better.
Some useful tips and tricks
When you have Watermelon seeds, you can plant them directly in the garden. However, most growers will need a head start on the growing season by starting seeds indoors. This helps you to start harvesting Watermelon plants as much as two weeks early. Another tip that extends the growing season is to use black plastic mulch as a row cover.
In fact, the black plastic radiates the sun’s warmth back to the plant and keeps the soil warm. This also aids in weed management over the protracted growth season. To employ this technique, cover the row with plastic and insert the plant via a small hole in the plastic. Give your plants plenty of room whether you are using seeds or transplants. Space rows 6 to 8 feet apart with plants 5 to 6 feet apart.
Final Thoughts
Using the appropriate fertilizer and fertilizing Watermelon plants properly are important for success when growing Watermelons. Are you using the right ones after reading our article? Through this article, Garden how hopes that you can grow and take care of your own healthy Watermelon plants right in your garden. Visit Garden How to learn more about Watermelon plants and other vegetables. Thank you for taking the time to read this!
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