The variety of plants in modern gardens and suburban areas is truly fascinating. Gardeners constantly master innovative processing technologies, sowing, as well as growing plants that promise to significantly increase productivity.
At the same time, habitual plants that have become an invariable attribute on the tables, to the list of which can be attributed to melon, enjoy the widest popularity. How to plant a melon, knows almost every experienced gardener, while there are a number of features, given that you can get a really good harvest.
Melon, what is it: a vegetable, berry or fruit?
Even among experienced gardeners and melon lovers, few can accurately answer the question of which family this plant should be assigned to. If one assesses the taste of a melon, then it can be categorized as fruit with full confidence, since it has a very delicate sweet taste, as well as a pleasant aroma.
At the same time, if we draw an analogy with another melon crop - watermelon, melon can be attributed to the family of berries, but this will be a mistake. According to the species classification, melon belongs to the class of pumpkin plants, which is confirmed by the melon root system, which is in many ways similar to other representatives of this species. Consequently, melon - vegetable.
Melon has been grown for many years, as a result of which information has already been lost, from where it first appeared. Considering that it has a lot in common with vegetable crops, berries, and even fruits, experts refer it to the order of falsely or pumpkin plants.
Did you know? There is a belief that melon is one of the fruits brought by the archangels to the ground. Virtually every variation of melon is considered a delight. Moreover, melon has anti-aging properties. In a number of countries, including the near abroad (Turkmenistan, Abkhazia, Tajikistan and others), melon in one form or another is used in folk medicine in order to improve immunity and treat diseases.
Planting melons in the open ground
The most familiar and in many ways the classic way of planting a melon is planting seeds in open ground. In order for this procedure to be successful, its implementation should take into account several main factors that will ensure the normal development of the plant, as well as high yield.
Did you know? In ancient times, melons and watermelons were often grown in greenhouse conditions, providing proper care. This practice allowed to obtain large yields in all territories of the country, regardless of climatic conditions. To date, landing in closed ground is practically not practiced.Should remember that melon - This is a plant that loves the sun and reacts negatively to excessive moisture, so when choosing a place, preference should be given to elevations on the ground, where water will not accumulate, as well as to open places where it is warm and sunny throughout the day.
Where it is better to plant a melon on the site
Considering the needs of the plant, the ground in the garden with a lot of shade is not an option. The use of a plot of land that is illuminated by the sun for a whole day will be optimal.
As such plots you can use the land, which is far from sources of moisture. For example, a plot of land on the edge of a summer cottage or garden may be used.
Important! In the process of growth, the melon produces a vine, on which the fruits appear. Given this, it is imperative that the area for planting a melon is of sufficient size. This will allow it to fully develop and prevent the vines from entering other beds, which is highly undesirable, because the vine can not only damage but also destroy other plants.
After what crops it is better to plant a melon
When asking what the melon grows with, you should not forget that crop rotation is the most important rule that helps to achieve maximum indicators of quality and productivity of such a crop as melon.
That is why when choosing a soil for planting should pay attention to previous cultures. The greatest amount of essential nutrients from the soil will be obtained by melon if it is planted in the place where onions, turnips, cabbage, beets, radish, beans, as well as herbaceous perennials were grown.
Neighboring crops should not be cucumbers and pumpkins. The best option for the garden melon neighborhood is corn and various greens, with the exception of parsley. Such a neighborhood not only does not harm, but also provides normal conditions for the development of plants.
How to prepare the ground for planting
Before growing a melon in the country, garden or garden, you must first prepare the soil for planting. To do this, select a site in an open area, but protected from the wind. In the autumn period, this area is dug up, after which humus is introduced into it with the calculation of 3-4 kg per 1 square meter.
In cases where the land is clayey, which is not suitable for growing melons, river sand should be added to it, with a calculation of 0.5 buckets of sand per square meter of land. At the end of the above procedures, the soil remains to winter.
In spring, the fertilized and cultivated soil should be re-dug up and additionally fertilized with phosphates and potassium. The proportions of fertilizer can be read on the package, since the recommended amount for application may vary depending on the manufacturer.
Immediately before planting, nitrogen fertilizers or rotted manure should also be applied to the ground. Growing melons in the plots prepared in this way will lead to a good harvest.
How to prepare melon seeds for sowing
Another condition for obtaining a good harvest of melons is the proper preparation of seeds for sowing. Seeds can be purchased at a specialized store or independently collected from the fruit grown on its own plot. The choice should be stopped on large copies.
Before planting a melon with seeds, they should be pretreated with special solutions that are sold in stores, or with a solution of zinc sulphate and boric acid, which will provide protection against various diseases that the seeds of such crops are prone to. It is recommended to soak melon seeds before planting for 12 hours.
Important! The assortment range of specialized stores has dozens of seed treatment formulations before planting. It should be remembered that in the future the fruit of the melon will be eaten, in view of which it is strongly recommended to give preference to those solutions whose composition does not contain substances harmful to humans, or their concentration is minimal.
How to plant melon seeds
After processing, you can start planting seeds. Depending on the preferences and possibilities of planting seeds can be carried out both in open ground and in pots for growing seedlings. For such purposes, the use of peat pots with a diameter of up to 10 centimeters is most appropriate.
Peat with sand can be used as a soil mixture, which is combined with wood ash. Planting seeds in such pots should be carried out to a depth of no more than 5 centimeters, and the ambient temperature should be about 20 degrees.
The main condition for proper planting of melon seedlings in the ground is careful handling of the root system. The best option is to plant a melon in the hole along with the soil in which the seedlings are grown.
Previously, a small amount of humus and water should be added to the wells. After planting, seedlings should be poured abundantly, and sprinkled with dry soil.
When melons are planted, it is important to remember that the plant should be kept in the shade for the first few days after planting, since it is in such conditions that it is better received.
With strong differences in temperature during the day and at night, the plant will require additional protection, so at night it can be covered with a film. The same film can be used to cover plants in the rain, thus avoiding excessive ingress of unwanted moisture into the soil.
Comprehensive care for melons on the site
Comprehensive care for melons includes a number of necessary procedures that will ensure high yields, as well as resistance to diseases.
Melon must be regularly loosened to provide the root system with the necessary oxygen, feed, water, and regularly remove weeds that may hinder the normal development of the plant. This procedure is very simple and clear even for a novice gardener.
It is also necessary to protect melons from birds, as they often attack shoots and destroy them. It is recommended to install a scaring system on the site.
In addition, it is important to gently turn the melon fruit regularly, and to prevent the fruit from contacting the ground it is recommended to put a plate in order to avoid a number of diseases and preserve the crop.
What watering loves melon
Yellow melon is of Oriental origin, so the plant does not tolerate excessive moisture. During the dry period, it is necessary to water the plant twice a week. At the same time, water for irrigation should be necessarily warm, and the irrigation itself should be carried out directly under the root.
The use of cold water, as well as its contact with melon leaves, can lead to a variety of diseases, decrease or complete loss of the crop. In cases where the amount of prolonged rains significantly exceeds the moisture content of the soil for the melon, it should be covered as this plant reacts painfully to the increased humidity. 
Important! Experienced farmers and gardeners recommend creating a shed with the help of an anti-rain grid when planting a melon - it will prevent the soil from being oversaturated with moisture, but will allow to get a sufficient amount of sunlight. Watering at the root, in turn, is best organized with the help of a drainage system (a tube leading directly to the root system) - such watering is most effective and safe.
How and what to feed the melons
It is recommended to feed melons with both mineral and organic fertilizers. Among mineral fertilizers, the most important for these plants are calcium and potassium. It is recommended to make mineral fertilizers after rains or irrigation with subsequent loosening of the soil.
Provided there is a sufficient amount of potassium in the soil, the processes of formation and flowering of female flowers are significantly activated, hence the yield increases. In addition, this mineral helps to increase plant resistance to disease, and also helps the process of maturation. During the period of the formation of the fetus, the plant's demand for potassium increases.
Organic fertilizers containing nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, as well as vitamins and trace elements are an essential component for plant health. The most optimal option of organic fertilizer for melons - humus, which includes plant and animal residues.
Can also be used rotted manure. Organic fertilizers should be applied in the form of concentrated solutions in the ratio of 1 to 5, followed by abundant irrigation, which will avoid the accumulation of harmful nitrates.
What is the use of pinching
In order to properly form a bush, apply pinching melonthat, among other things, has a positive effect on the rate of ripening of the fetus. On the main lash, pinching is performed after the fifth leaf, while on the additional one, after three sheets behind the ovary.
This procedure allows you to save nutrients inside the plant and send them to the formation of the fruit. In addition, it helps prevent a number of diseases that can develop in weakened plants.
Terms of ripening and harvesting
The ripening time of a melon depends on the region where it is grown. Climatic conditions have a significant impact on how melon grows and ripens. In warm climatic zones, these processes occur faster, whereas in temperate climates, they are much slower.
An important factor is also the type of melon, which involves the timing of the development of the plant, the formation of the fruit and its maturation. In addition, the taste of melons depends on these conditions.
Depending on the variety, the melon can be yellow, light orange, and also dark orange or even white. The shape and size of the fruit depends on the variety.
Did you know? In the world there is a melon variety Yubari King, which is officially considered the most expensive. It is cultivated only in a small Japanese province. Distinguished by the most juicy and sweet taste of tender pulp, it stands out among other unprecedented cost - up to $ 20,000 per kilogram. It is noteworthy that you can buy it exclusively at special auctions.
The process of growing melons in their own garden, garden or cottage is fairly simple, accessible and understandable. Observance of elementary rules for soil preparation, plant care, which includes watering and fertilizing, will provide an excellent harvest of delicious, fragrant melon, rich in vitamins.
