Why Plant Crimson Sweet Watermelon on a Hill?

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“Crimson Sweet” watermelons (Citrullus lanatus “Crimson Sweet”) are an old-fashioned, open pollinated variety of icebox watermelon grown in gardens large enough to support the feng shui. Like most of vining watermelons, “Crimson Sweet” are often grown on hills 4 to 12 inches tall. Watermelons can be more productive on roads, based on the garden’s organic soil composition; hilling also expedites establishment and simplifies maintenance.

Warmer Soil

Watermelons require quite warm soil to germinate and grow correctly. Soil temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees F will initiate germination and accelerate vine growth. Informal raised garden beds such as hills are greater than the surrounding soil and therefore absorb more heat in the sun. They warm faster, earlier in the season, giving watermelons implanted there a small benefit.

Deeper Root Zone

Plants like watermelons have very deep roots. In their native range, they often grow in sandy soils which enable them to penetrate the ground with very little resistance. Most gardens where watermelons are grown suffer from compacted soil with high clay content, therefore planting them on hills provides more room because of their large root systems to develop unhindered.

Irrigation Control

Planting “Crimson Sweet” watermelons on hills offers a distinct advantage against crown-damaging diseases. Because of their large, deep root system, hill-planted watermelons don’t need to be watered near their crowns — rather, they are sometimes watered near the base of this hill. This configuration also permits the crowns of hill-planted watermelons to dry much quicker after a spring rain, discouraging fungal and bacterial diseases.

Ease of Care

Even though there are many elements that ease plant maintenance in the garden, using hills permits you a closer look at your plants without compacting the dirt. Regular monitoring permits you to detect insects and diseases previously, leading to fewer severe issues in the watermelon patch. And when fruits start to develop — because watermelons are often thinned to just a couple of fruits — laziness can favor those developing nearest to the crown to avoid rotting and damage brought on by continuous contact with the moist dirt at the hill’s base.

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