Watermelon farming is one of the profitable short-term farming projects that one can invest in for a quick return.
The fruits take between 3-4 months to mature, meaning farmers don’t need to wait for long for the investment to start paying off.
The good thing about watermelon is that its market is ever-ready thanks to the high demand among consumers both locally and internationally. This article provides a step-by-step guide to watermelon farming.
Propagation
Melons are commonly direct-seeded, except under conditions where the growing season is short, whereby transplants raised in containers are used.
For the direct seeded, the planting depth is about 2cm and between row spacing is 1.5-1.8m, while the intra-row spacing is 30-60cm.
Fertiliser
Application of nitrogenous fertilisers is based on soil type. Soils with high organic matter require 80kg N/ha, while light soils require 140kg N/ha.
The nitrogenous fertiliser should be applied and incorporated into the soil at planting time. Phosphorus and potassium applications are based on soil tests, and both should also be applied at the time of planting.
Depending on the environmental conditions, 450-600mm of water is required within a growing season.
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Weed control
Weeds should be adequately controlled, especially when the melon plants are young. Weeds which grow upright offer greater competition by shading the melon plants.
Weed control can be achieved by application of black plastic mulches, cultivation, and use of herbicides.
Diseases and insect pests
Melons suffer most of the diseases and insect pests that attack other cucurbits. Diseases such as powdery mildew, downy mildew, alternaria leaf spot, anthracnose, and fusarium wilt cause problems under certain conditions.
Insect pests such as cucumber beetle, which is a vector for bacterial wilt, aphids, flea beetles, and melon worms too cause problems.
Harvesting
Watermelon is ready for harvest in about three to four months. Maturity is indicated when the fruit gives off a hollow sound when tapped with knuckles.
The fruit stem should be cut with a sharp knife rather than broken by hand.
