Harvest and preservation of watermelon

Watermelons generally mature in batches, not all of them, so harvesting watermelons is a work that must be carried out all the time after reaching maturity. Generally speaking, when harvesting, we should pay attention to the appropriate harvesting method and pick at the right time. In addition, artificial judgment is needed to be mature, and there is a need to use appropriate harvesting tools to ensure the preservation of quality after harvest.

1. Harvest time

Generally speaking, watermelons are sown in spring in March and will probably be harvested in June or July, but different harvest periods should be determined according to different varieties. In addition, watermelons can be harvested in the greenhouse some time in advance, because the greenhouse temperature is higher, its maturity will be ahead of schedule, in the maturity period, choose a cloudy day without dew weather to pick watermelons.

II. Harvesting methods

Use a clean basket to hold the picked watermelons, in the melon field, choose some inflated, yellowed, lighter watermelons, and then tap to hear the sound of chaos is a sign of maturity. But when picking too much, there will be no time to shoot, you can directly look at the appearance of picking. Usually bring a pair of sterilized sharp scissors, directly leave the melon stalk about 3 to 4 cm cut off, wipe off the soil, adhere to impurities, gently handle. But if you want to save it, leave a section of melon vine and leave a few leaves.

3. Preservation method

1. Sand storage method

Pick medium well's watermelon, leave a few leaves, and apply plant ash or lime water to the cut to preserve the wound. Then find a dry place to cover the ground with clean straw, put a layer of sand, and put on the watermelon. A layer of sand is about 10 cm thick, a layer of sand and a layer of watermelon, covered with sand on top. If it is preserved in this way, it can be preserved for about half a month, but the sand must be wet sand, do not stack more than two layers, and it is easy to crush.

two。 Cellar method

Dig the cellar for preservation, usually build shelves in the cellar and cover the shelves with hay. Then put the watermelon on the straw, the harvested watermelon is probably just ripe, the appearance of well-done, not too ripe, easy to go bad. Leave it outside for a few days before preservation, remove some moisture, make it easier to preserve, and extend the preservation time to about three months.

3. Grass collection

After picking the watermelon, put it in the dry grass in the field, and then cover it with plastic film, which is covered with wet sand and fine soil to block the sun and moisturize. Can extend the shelf life of watermelons, about two months fresh-keeping time.

When picking watermelons, if they are sold nearby, they can leave no leaves and use sand storage for a short time. However, if you want to transport and sell over a long distance, you can choose the grass storage method, but if the quantity is too large and the sale time is longer, you can use the cellar with the longest preservation time.