In April, with the arrival of warm temperatures, it is also time to plant new crops: This month we have the fennel and melon, among others, although we are going to focus on these two. Here are some tips so that everything goes as well as possible.
Fennel
It is a plant that interferes with the growth of the rest, it can only be grown together with others that are from its family such as mint or sage, since they are the only ones that tolerate its terrain.
- Its seeds are sown in soils rich in compost, with good drainage and 5 mm deep.
- They should be covered with transparent plastic until germination.
- Germination lasts between 5-8 days at room temperature.
- Cuttings can be planted when it is 10 cm tall.
- It should not be cultivated until the frosts have completely passed.
Melon
There are numerous varieties on the market so we are spoiled for choice.
- They are sown in individual pots 10 cm and 15 mm deep.
- 3 seeds are placed per pot. Once they have germinated, only the one that is in the best condition is preserved, the other two can be cut with scissors so as not to disturb the roots of the remaining plant.
- Its germination takes between 3-5 days.
- Constant humidity must be maintained.
- During germination, a temperature between 27 and 32ºC should be maintained, when the young plants begin to grow, the temperature should be reduced to 24ºC until the first true leaves appear. Then it would be reduced even more, between 18 and 21ºC.
- Irrigation should be reduced as soon as its final leaves appear.
- It should not be transplanted until it has reached the 18-21ºC phase.
- Like fennel, you should wait to sow it until the risk of frost has disappeared.