Watermelons are an extremely popular fruit and summer won’t be the same without them. On this week’s Gather To Grow, an expert unpacks all you need to know to grow perfect watermelons.
Watermelons are grown from spring to early fall. During other seasons, it’s incredibly fragile, therefore it must be planted in the correct season and in the correct way.
As a vegetable and watermelon farmer in Rustenburg, North West, Karabo Rampete can attest to the fact that watermelons thrive in sandy loam soil with a pH range of 5.8 to 6.2.
Grow the perfect watermelons
Rampete suggests doing a geographical study to determine if the climate would be suitable for growing watermelons before planting. The weather can also vary greatly from one place to another, she says.
She also notes that plant soil preparation is essential before sowing your seeds.
“Farmers need to make sure that they’re planting during the right season, ensuring that the soil preparation is done.”
Rampete recommends that it is important to do soil testing three months before you can start planting your watermelons.
“Make sure your soil is correct. But that doesn’t mean that if its not current, it cannot be corrected.”
Guidelines for safeguarding watermelons
To keep birds, insects, and other pests away from your watermelons, you should take precautions. Rampete says that her harvest did well after she planted seeds on the ground.
“When you plant, make sure the spacing is correct because if your spacing is not correct, your plants are not going to grow properly.”
*PLEASE NOTE: We were unable to record the last 20 minutes of the discussion. Our apologies for the inconvenience. – Food For Mzansi.
During the session, Rampete also explains:
- How to water watermelons properly;
- Why market research is so crucial; and
- Suggestions for adjusting the soil.
ALSO READ: FIT Summit: ‘Break stigmas, barriers in farming’
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