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Year round production Namibia Institute of Agriculture #agriculturenaturelle Developing Local Agripreneurs Namibia

Planting

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Healthy farming, the easy way

Quality seeds #agriculturenaturelle

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Watermelon planting tips in central and Northern Namibia

🌞 1. Choose the Right Time
• Planting months: In Central & Northern Namibia — January to March and August to December.
• Watermelons love warm soil (above 21°C) and plenty of sunlight. Avoid cold or waterlogged seasons.

🌍 2. Select the Right Soil
• Best soil: Sandy loam with good drainage.
• pH: Between 6.0 and 7.0.
• Mix compost or well-rotted manure before planting to enrich nutrients.

🌱 3. Seed Preparation & Planting
• Seed spacing:
• Rows: 1.5–2 meters apart
• Between plants: 60–90 cm apart
• Plant 2–3 seeds per hole, 2–3 cm deep, then thin to 1 strong plant after germination.
• Use treated seeds if available to prevent fungal diseases.

💧 4. Watering
• Keep soil moist but not soggy — especially during germination and fruit development.
• Reduce watering when fruits start ripening to improve sweetness and prevent splitting.
• Drip irrigation works best for water efficiency.

🌾 5. W**d and Pest Control
• W**d regularly (especially early).
• Use mulch (grass, dry leaves) to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Watch for pests like aphids, beetles, and fruit flies — use organic or approved pesticides if needed.

🌼 6. Fertilization
• Apply NPK (3:2:1 or 2:3:2) at planting.
• When vines start spreading, add ammonium nitrate 👎 for growth.
• Later, apply potassium and phosphorus to boost fruit sweetness and size.
• Avoid too much nitrogen near fruiting time — it encourages leaves, not fruits.

🍉 7. Pollination
• Bees are essential!
• Avoid spraying pesticides during flowering.
• Plant flowers or other bee-attracting crops nearby.

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