With balanced fertilization and the right watering, watermelons also thrive here in Germany. Find out the tips & tricks here!
The watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), which belongs to the cucurbit family, needs medium-heavy and nutrient-rich soil. The planting site can be improved in advance with plenty of humus. What you should consider when fertilizing and watering is explained below.
Fertilize watermelons
Regular and species-appropriate fertilization is essential so that you can actually watch the watermelons grow. You can work in horn shavings and horse manure even before planting. Both forms of fertilizer act as long-term fertilizers. If you want to avoid animal fertilizers, you can use a well-balanced and slightly nitrogenous NPK fertilizer. Again, fertilizer should be given every two weeks during the growing season. For example, we recommend our animal-free Plantura organic tomato fertilizer. This enables a long-term supply of nutrients to your watermelons in a natural way. In addition, our fertilizer consists primarily of organic ingredients, so it is not harmful to humans or animals.
Watermelon watering
The plants need a lot of moisture and need to be watered, especially on dry summer days. It is best to water with rainwater (tempered water) in the morning. Be careful not to wet the leaves with water. With a watering can, the water can be introduced precisely. Automatic drip irrigation can also be used. Irrigation with sprinklers should be avoided as this greatly increases the risk of powdery mildew.
If the watermelon is properly cared for, (almost) nothing stands in the way of a rich harvest. Learn how to harvest and store watermelons in this article.