Growing proper watermelons
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2022 8:06 pm
I have acquired some USA watermelon seeds for those long melons, not the ball shaped. One of the guys on the site got them from his son a few years ago & has had some success & kept the seeds of these. Funnily I had bought some as well. Now in my usual way I have been searching & doing my homework to achieve the best results. (Read totally confused)! Immediately I found I overwater them, they like it dry - so far not boding well for success outside in the UK. Immediate thought was in the tunnel, but they don't like high humidity either. They can tolerate high winds when mature but get ragged leaves but not when younger as they don't recover.
When I was young & living outback OZ, they just grew on the chicken pen rake out pile beside the stables next door so shaded all day. Their watering was throwing the odd bucket of water following mopping the floors on them. Factoring in the temp being in shade not sun it would match a good summer here; obvs in the sun was substantially higher & there was no wind.
I will have a go as I've just cleared out my very large compost bin, well not quite, but down from about 5+' to 2' & it's about 7' x 7', but I ran out beds to top up & my back has had enough. I have fixed the fence at the back & used this 2' to bury it to stop rats. It is right beside my neighbours shed so wind proof that side & behind is the hedge row, that pile has been there about 8yrs so well rotted but I will top it up with some 6X flakes to totally spoil them. I have some left over laminate sheets to protect the other side & front from wind & maybe they will add some heat as well.
What would you suggest I put on the top if anything to reduce too much rain, without increasing humidity? I am not expecting success in any form but had nothing planned for that area as didn't expect to empty it all this year so just for fun & the challenge really.
When I was young & living outback OZ, they just grew on the chicken pen rake out pile beside the stables next door so shaded all day. Their watering was throwing the odd bucket of water following mopping the floors on them. Factoring in the temp being in shade not sun it would match a good summer here; obvs in the sun was substantially higher & there was no wind.
I will have a go as I've just cleared out my very large compost bin, well not quite, but down from about 5+' to 2' & it's about 7' x 7', but I ran out beds to top up & my back has had enough. I have fixed the fence at the back & used this 2' to bury it to stop rats. It is right beside my neighbours shed so wind proof that side & behind is the hedge row, that pile has been there about 8yrs so well rotted but I will top it up with some 6X flakes to totally spoil them. I have some left over laminate sheets to protect the other side & front from wind & maybe they will add some heat as well.
What would you suggest I put on the top if anything to reduce too much rain, without increasing humidity? I am not expecting success in any form but had nothing planned for that area as didn't expect to empty it all this year so just for fun & the challenge really.