Growing large watermelons is not only a matter of sun and warm weather. Experienced farmers say that exactly proper feeding during the period of active growth helps the fruits gain weight faster, and the flesh become juicy and sweet.

One of the simple and proven methods is feeding with a nitrate solution. It provides the plants with nitrogen, which is needed for the formation of powerful leaves and healthy vines. Exactly from them depends how well the watermelon will be able to accumulate nutrients for the future fruits.

How to prepare the solution

For 10 liters of clean water you need to take 20 grams of nitrate and thoroughly dissolve the fertilizer.

Water the watermelons at the root, using approximately 2 liters of ready solution per one plant. It is best to carry out the feeding after ordinary watering or after rain, when the soil is already moist. This way the nutrients will get to the roots faster and will not burn them.

When to apply

Such feeding is most effective when the plant is actively growing green mass and starting to form ovaries. Later one should be careful with nitrogen fertilizers: their excess can lead to excessive growth of leaves instead of fruit development.

Useful tips

• Water only at the root, without wetting the leaves.
• Carry out the feeding in the evening hours or in the morning, when there is no scorching sun.
• Do not exceed the recommended concentration of the solution.
• Combine the feeding with regular but moderate watering — watermelons do not like stagnation of water.

If you follow these simple recommendations, the plants will strengthen quickly, and the fruits will have more chances to grow large, aromatic and sweet. Exactly such simple agrotechnical techniques have been used for many years by gardeners of southern Ukraine, obtaining generous harvests even in a hot summer.