watermelon 🍉/ tharpusani

🍉 Watermelon Seed Sowing Guide

1. Season

Best time in India:

Summer crop – Jan to March

Rainy crop – June to July

Needs warm, dry climate with plenty of sunlight.

2. Soil Preparation

Well-drained sandy loam soil is ideal.

Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5.

Add well-rotted FYM (farmyard manure) 8–10 tons/acre before sowing.

3. Seed Treatment

Soak seeds in water for 6–8 hours to improve germination.

Treat with Trichoderma / fungicide to avoid seed-borne diseases.

4. Sowing Method

Direct sowing is preferred.

Depth: 2–3 cm.

Spacing:

Pit method: 2–3 seeds/pit, pits at 2–3 m spacing.

Row method: 1 seed every 60–90 cm, with 2–3 m row spacing.

5. Germination

Seeds sprout in 7–10 days under warm conditions.

6. Thinning

After 2 weeks, keep the healthiest 1–2 plants per pit, remove weaker ones.

7. Watering

Light watering till germination.

Avoid overwatering → watermelon is sensitive to waterlogging.

At fruit maturity stage, reduce irrigation for better sweetness.

8. Support & Care

Keep vines on ground, mulch helps conserve moisture.

Control weeds in early stages.

Provide organic manure + balanced fertilizer (NPK).