CURRENT MOON

The Gardener's Almanac

For information on what to do in your garden this week!

Location;

Watermelon

Water melons require long hot summers where day temperature gets to 27°C (80°F) and the night time temperatures doesn’t go below 13°C (55°F)

This means they are best grown under glass in the UK.

Growing through black PVC sheeting can help to raise soil temperature.

They grow/trail to 2metres (6ft) long or more, but are generally confined to the limits of the greenhouse border.

Feed and water regularly and avoid wetting the leaves to prevent mildew.

Week 16; Sow seed singly (on edge) into 75mm (3") pots of seed compost.

Germinate at 18°C (65°F)

Germination will take five to seven days.

After germination place the seedlings where they can get maximum light (but not direct sunlight) maintain a temperature of 10°C (50°F)

Week 17; When the seedlings have three true leaves, pot them singly into 150mm (6") pots of potting compost, setting them so as the bottom set of leaves are just above soil level.

Week 20; Prepare the growing bed by incorporating liberal amounts of well rotted manure or compost.

Rake in bone meal mixed with lime at a rate equivalent to 100gms per sq.metre (4oz/sq. m)

Week 22; Plant out in the greenhouse border 900mm (3ft) apart.

Water the plants in to settle the soil around the root ball.

Week 24; Pinch out the growing tip of the main stem when it is 600-900mm (2-3ft) long.

Week 26: Feed fortnightly from now on, with a high Nitrogen fertiliser.

Water freely and maintain a humid atmosphere.

Assist pollination by removing the male flowers and brushing them into the centre of the female flower, which is recognizable by the embryo fruit behind the petals.

Allow no more than three fruits per plant.

Ideally pollinate all three flowers at the same time then remove all other flowers.

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