In recent years, practical experience in agriculture has shown that adopting a new technique involving mulching warm pits and accelerating the harvest of fresh watermelons is an effective strategy for achieving early maturity and higher yields. This method, developed through research and refinement of proper live film coverage, is simple yet highly efficient. Its main advantages include: first, it enhances soil temperature and improves the microclimate for seedling growth; second, it allows earlier sowing—typically 10 to 15 days ahead of schedule; third, it leads to earlier maturation, enabling farmers to bring their watermelons to market sooner, resulting in greater profitability.
The process begins with creating warm pits. First, dig pits across the entire planting ridge at the appropriate spacing. The depth should be around 15 to 18 cm, and then fill each pit with 0.5 to 1.0 kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer mixed with soil. Create a shallow pit about 10 to 12 cm deep and 15 to 18 cm wide.
Next, plant seeds in the prepared pits. After watering, sow 2 to 3 pre-soaked or germinated seeds, and cover them with 2 to 3 cm of moist, fine soil. Immediately after planting, lay the mulch film tightly over the ridge, ensuring it is smooth, straight, and secure. Each seeding hole becomes a small underground greenhouse. Under sunlight, this setup not only warms the ground but also significantly increases the temperature inside the pit, creating a warm environment powered by solar energy.
When selecting varieties, early-maturing types tend to perform best, but both early and mid-to-late maturing varieties can be used successfully. These varieties mature earlier than those grown under regular plastic film.
Sowing should take place about 10 to 15 days earlier than usual, typically just before the last frost. However, the exact timing should be adjusted according to local weather conditions.
Once the risk of night frosts has passed and temperatures begin to rise steadily, it's time to break the film. Carefully remove the covering from the warm pit and transplant 2 to 4 true-leaf seedlings. Ensure the roots are covered with wet soil and the film is re-covered tightly to allow the seedlings to acclimate gradually while keeping their roots protected.
During early spring, when temperatures fluctuate, it's crucial to monitor the weather closely. If cold snaps occur, sprinkle a layer of dry soil over the film or cover it with straw to protect the plants. When the weather warms up, remove the protective layers.
Additionally, high temperatures can be a concern. When outside temperatures reach 30°C, the temperature inside the pit may rise to around 40°C. To prevent heat damage, ventilate the area by making small holes 3 to 5 cm away from the seedlings on the north side of the pit. This allows air to circulate without exposing the seedlings to sudden temperature changes. It’s best to do this between 9 and 10 AM to avoid the intense midday sun. On cloudy days with temperatures below 25°C, no special action is needed, and normal plastic film cultivation can continue.
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