| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | addition to plowing and disking, sub soiling beneath |
| Watermelons are summer crops that need | | | | the row promotes deeper rooting in soils having a |
| effective handling for quality production. To | | | | compacted layer. In case of strong winds, |
| produce the red, juicy, crispy variety of melons, | | | | windbreaks of fall-planted wheat or rye or |
| special care and attention is obligatory. To | | | | spring-planted hybrid Sudan helps to provide some |
| determine the quality and ripeness of | | | | protection to young plants. The windbreak crop |
| watermelons without tasting is not an easy task | | | | between the rows is cultivated or disked out as |
| as external color or appearance does not actually | | | | the watermelon vines begin to run. A narrow |
| reveal the quality of the flesh inside. This task of | | | | windbreak strip can be left standing between |
| determining the quality of watermelons without | | | | rows for wind protection later in the season, but |
| tasting requires the aid of a skillful hand. | | | | it should be undercut or killed with chemicals to |
| Watermelons are warm, long season crops and | | | | reduce competition with the watermelon crop. |
| grow best on well-drained sandy loam soils with | | | | Depending on variety and season, watermelons |
| slight acid. Sandy soils with adequate fertilizers | | | | reach harvest maturity five to six weeks after |
| yield very fine quality watermelons. Watermelon is | | | | pollination. Different varieties of watermelons |
| fairly tolerant to soil pH as low as 5.5. Watermelon | | | | carry different characteristics, thus indicating |
| grows best where soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0. | | | | different levels of maturity. Experts on the field |
| Application of lime to a low pH soil can yield better | | | | can easily identify a ripe melon just by glancing at |
| results. Before planting the seeds of watermelons, | | | | its glossy rind surface. |
| much labor is invested to prepare the soil. In | | | | |