Barth brings fresh melons: the new pride of the Boddenstadt!

Barth brings fresh melons: the new pride of the Boddenstadt!

What's new from Barth, the small town in the Vorpommern-Rügen district? In a courageous initiative, Hahn Vegetable Bau GmbH, under the leadership of Marcel Schulz, grew melons in the region for the first time. This decision is no coincidence, as vegetable growers have focused on tomatoes for over 50 years. Now, 350 melon plants have been planted this year and the harvest is expected in a few days to two weeks. The first fruits could soon be available for purchase in the farm shop in Barth, which could be a significant step for both the farmers and the region.

To ensure the quality of the melons, they must be shiny and have a pronounced yellow spot on the rind, which indicates their ripeness. Growing melons requires less maintenance than tomatoes. While the tomato harvest is currently progressing and the delicious fruits are being sold both regionally and throughout Germany, hopes for the sweet melons are already high.

A look at cultivation techniques

Growing melons (Cucumis melo) requires specific expertise and techniques that are crucial for successful growth. The soil should have a pH value between 6.0 and 6.5 and be well prepared. Organic compost and potassium-rich fertilizers are important to ensure healthy plants. When sowing, it might make sense to use good, well-drained soil at a depth of 2 to 3 cm.

Irrigation also plays a central role: melons require around 1,000 liters of water per day. To promote growth, drip irrigation is recommended, which prevents waterlogging and associated diseases. Routine analyzes of the soil help to optimally adjust the nutrient supply and thus ensure the best yields. Integrated plant protection, for example through crop rotation and natural pest control, is also important to protect healthy plants.

The selection of melon varieties

Various factors can play a role in choosing the right melon varieties. The watermelon varieties “Sweet Suger” and “Siberian Watermelon”, which are hardly susceptible to fungal diseases, are particularly popular. Honeydew melons, such as “Sakata Sweet” or the Kazakh fruit melon, also find their place in the range. Gardeners in Barth therefore have a small but fine range at their disposal that offers a wide range of possible uses.

Well-thought-out cultivation and consideration of regional climatic conditions are the keys to a successful harvest. The first melons from Barth could not only delight vegetable lovers in the region, but also usher in a new phase in the agricultural tradition of the Bodden town.

How to grow melons successfully? Experts have put together helpful tips that range from sowing to harvesting. Such knowledge is particularly essential for newcomers to melon cultivation so that the first steps in melon cultivation are really fruitful.

The developments in Barth show that regional cultivation can also support the taste of fresh fruit right on your doorstep. Let's stay tuned to see what other culinary surprises the farmers have in store for us this year and whether the melons can delight the audience.

For further information on cultivation techniques, visit the website NDR, blue tomatoes or get helpful suggestions Agronoblog.