Growing melon in Siberia no longer seems unusual. Hardworking gardeners plant them in greenhouses and open ground. Then a harvest of fragrant juicy berries is obtained.
The heat-loving berry is traditionally cultivated in the steppe regions of the south. In Siberia, not so long ago, gardeners did not risk planting melons. But new varieties and hybrids have appeared with a rapid ripening period. Cultivation experience has been accumulated. Long-known technologies are also used.
Gardeners note the pleasant taste and juiciness of fruits grown in open ground. They compare favorably with melons brought from the southern regions.Proper agricultural technology will allow you to provide your family with products in the required quantities.
Suitability of the region for cultivation
The climate of Siberia is heterogeneous. In the northern part, air masses from the Arctic Ocean cool the soil. Farming here is problematic.
In the southern part (in Khakassia) apricots and pears feel at ease. The number of sunny days is sufficient. Gardeners are trying to grow grapes and heat-loving melons, including melons, in open ground.
The disadvantage of the region's climate is its unpredictability. There are droughts in spring and summer. The temperature in the shade reaches 40 ⁰С. This heat is replaced by a July cold snap and prolonged rains. June often brings snowfalls. Frosts occur in early August. Then warm weather returns for a short time.
To grow melon in Siberia in open ground, you should take into account all the features of the region. It is required to familiarize yourself with the catalog of varieties and hybrids of zoned plants and work out cultivation methods. Advice from agricultural technicians and the use of covering material will make the task easier.
What does a melon require?
This crop has increased requirements for growing conditions. For the growth and ripening of melon in open ground you need:
- Comfortable temperature for growth and maturation is +25–30 ⁰С. When exceeded, pollination of the ovaries stops (the pollen is sterilized).
- A decrease in the average daily temperature to 10–15 ⁰С leads to a stop in the growth of melon. Prolonged cooling causes the death of the plant.
- Early ripening melons require up to 70 days of comfortable weather to ripen. In mid-season, the period is longer - up to 90 days. If conditions change, the period for achieving technical ripeness is extended.
In the north of Siberia it is possible growing melon in a greenhouse. Moreover, it is necessary to ensure sufficient lighting and temperature in the room for plant growth. These measures increase the cost of fruits.
In the central and southern parts of the region, it is possible to harvest heat-loving berries in open ground. The main requirement is the absence of prolonged rains and summer cold. The number of sunny days ranges from 40 to 50. The same number of days occurs with night temperatures above 15 ⁰С. Therefore, it should be grown in seedlings.
Some gardeners take a risk: they plant melon with dry seeds immediately in a permanent place in an open garden bed. The method pleases with positive results only in the southernmost regions. In this case, the weather should be as favorable as possible. In the region, such an event is rare.
How to grow melon?
An unstable climate with a small number of days comfortable for the plant requires effort from the gardener.. The following should be provided:
- growing melon through seedlings (should be planted a month before the intended planting in the ground);
- prepare the ridges (pay special attention to soil fertility);
- use covering material under unfavorable conditions (in June and August);
- carry out normalization of plants.
Cultivating heat-loving berries in open ground requires effort from the gardener. But how joyful it is to offer your home-grown juicy, aromatic fruit!
How to prepare seeds?
When purchasing material from well-known companies, you do not need to do anything before planting. The manufacturer tested the seeds for germination, additionally carried out chemical treatment, and provided soil control. This is written on the bag.
Some gardeners collect the seeds themselves. In this case you should:
- Check for germination. Pour a handful of material into a glass of water. Stir. Wait 5 minutes.Empty seeds will float. They are rejected. The rest are suitable for planting.
- Calculate the percentage of germination (when cultivating large areas). To do this, the number of seeds remaining at the bottom should be divided by the total number of those being tested and multiplied by 100. This measure will avoid empty holes.
- Disinfect the material in a pink solution of potassium permanganate (let stand for 10 minutes).
- To increase germination, it is recommended to immerse the seeds in a solution of potassium humate or aloe vera juice for 30 minutes.
- After wet treatments, it is recommended to dry the seeds.
- In Siberian conditions, it is risky to sow germinated seeds. In the event of a sudden cold snap, the awakened embryos will die.
Melon seeds should be planted 2–3 years after collection. This measure will increase the number of female flowers.
Sometimes a gardener plans to plant a melon the first year. In this case, dry heating of the seeds is required for a month at a temperature of 30–40 ⁰C. You can pour the material into a fabric bag and hang it near the battery.
Soil preparation
To get a good harvest, it is recommended to pay attention to the choice of area for cultivation. For plants, you should allocate the sunniest place that is protected from cold winds.
The predecessors of melon should be: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, beans, cabbage, peas, potatoes. These crops are affected by other pests. The soil after their cultivation does not accumulate pathogenic organisms.
It is prohibited to plant melons after watermelons, cucumbers, pumpkins, and eggplants. They have common pests. The roots take up the same nutrients from the soil. It is impossible to get a decent harvest.
The bed should be prepared 2 weeks before the intended planting. Event plan:
- Remove weeds.Select the roots carefully.
- Melons require loose, breathable soil. On heavy loams, carry out sanding.
- Add humus (a bucket per square meter), dig. After 3–5 days, fill the soil with a mineral complex (according to the manufacturer’s instructions).
- Dig up the bed using a spade. Break up the lumps.
Cover the entire area with a dark, thick film. Press the ends around the entire perimeter to the ground. Check the temperature with a thermometer. When warmed to the required temperature (12 ⁰C at planting depth), seedlings can be planted or seeds can be sown.
Warm ridges
This ancient method Siberia is used for growing cucumbers in open ground. Enthusiastic gardeners use it when planting melons. Preparing a garden bed is easy. To save time, you can start in the fall. Sequencing:
- Use twine to mark the area. Remove the soil using the bayonet of a shovel.
- Make a box from boards, plywood, plastic. It should rise 20–25 cm above the soil surface.
- Place chopped branches, grass, tops, bark, and remnants of rejected fruits and vegetables down.
- Fill with half of the excavated soil.
- In the spring (after the snow melts), horse manure mixed with straw is spread on top. The layer should be 5–10 cm.
- Fill the top with the remaining soil and pour hot water (60–70 ⁰C).
- Cover with dark film. Press the ends tightly.
The manure and straw will begin to rot and release heat. After a few days (5–7), the soil is ready for planting seedlings or sowing seeds.
Advantages of the method: the bed is heated from below for 2–3 weeks, manure is an additional source of organic matter, the soil is loose and fertile.
Horse manure can be replaced with cow or poultry manure. But the warm-up time will be longer. The heat generation period is shorter.Melons grown using this method will ripen earlier than those planted in conventional beds.
The method has a drawback. Melons in open ground are placed according to the following scheme: 100×140 cm. Preparing a warm bed will require significant physical effort and material costs: manure will have to be purchased at the farm or from a breeder.
Greenhouse melons
Melon grown in open ground is tastier and more aromatic than greenhouse melon. But using closed ground has advantages:
- the crop ripens 2–3 weeks earlier;
- The planting pattern changes: it is enough to place plants according to a 70×40 cm pattern;
- it is possible to regulate the microclimate: change the temperature, soil humidity, lighting;
- There is less damage to greenhouse melons by rot.
The optimal material for constructing greenhouses in Siberia is polycarbonate. It retains heat and allows sunlight to pass through.
