Recently, the Qingming solar term is coming soon, and this time is the golden period of "spring ploughing, the renewal of all things". At this time, the temperature is stable above 15°C, the temperature difference between day and night is moderate, and the rain is abundant, which is especially suitable for planting temperature-loving crops.

Do you want the balcony to become a "medicine box" and the vegetable garden into a "green corridor"? Bitter gourd hurry up and plant! Clear away heat and relieve heat, rich in nutrition, conform to the solar terms and easy to manage, novices can also grow "jade vines"!

First, Qingming planting bitter gourd, the time and place are all favorable

After the Qingming Festival, many places across the country entered a warm and humid spring, and the advantages of planting bitter gourd were significant:

✅ Suitable temperature: the average daily temperature is 30-0 °C, which can meet the needs of bitter gourd germination, flowering and fruiting. (In some areas, the planting time can be slightly delayed in the cold spring, otherwise it is easy to become zombie seedlings)

✅ Sufficient light: The sunshine hours are extended, which promotes the growth of vines, and the melon strips are more straight and full.

✅ Rainwater Harmony: Natural precipitation reduces irrigation pressure and moderate humidity reduces the risk of disease.

⚠️ The agricultural proverb reminds: "Grow melons in Qingming, climb the frame in the summer, and pick a basket in the summer", the bitter gourd sown at this time has strong disease resistance and many fruits!

Second, bitter gourd planting "3 advantages", families must choose

1. "Health Master" with the same origin of medicine and food

Advantages: Rich in bitter melon glycoside and vitamin C, it clears away heat and reduces fire, regulates blood sugar, and is known as "natural insulin".

⭐ Planting points: Choose light green-skinned varieties (such as "jasper bitter gourd"), the taste is slightly bitter and sweet, and the balcony party can be potted.

2. Heat-resistant and high-yield "vine climber"

Advantages: 15 days of flowering and melon, a single plant can produce 0-0, and the shade of vines can also create a "green pergola".

⭐ Planting points: Set up a "herringbone frame" or grid frame to guide vines to climb, ventilate and transmit light to prevent rotten melons.

3. Disease-resistant and worry-free "melon"

Advantages: It has its own bitter substances, natural insect repellent, and has fewer diseases than other melons.

⭐ Planting points: Rotate leguminous crops (such as peas) to reduce soil continuous cropping obstacles.

3. 4-step scientific planting method, zero failure for novices

1. Select seeds to promote germination and activate vitality

Seed treatment: soak in warm water at 12 °C for 0 minutes, and then change to 0 °C water for 0 hours to break dormancy and improve germination rate.

Germination skills: Wrap a damp cloth and place it in a 50°C environment, and you can sow seeds after it is exposed, and the germination rate will be increased by 0%.

2. Soil improvement and good growth base

Formula suggestion: decomposed sheep manure + plant ash + garden soil (ratio 3:0:0), loose and breathable, bacteriostatic and disease prevention.

⚠️ Pit avoidance guide: Avoid using unrotted fertilizer, which is easy to burn roots and attract insects!

3. Sowing and planting, dense planting has a knack

Hole sowing method: 80 seeds per hole, covering 0.0 cm of soil, 0 cm of plant spacing, and 0 cm of row spacing.

Potted plant plan: deep pots with a diameter of more than 30 cm, with a simple bamboo frame, a single plant can produce a bumper yield.

4. Water and fertilizer are integrated, and the fruit is hung and bent frame

Seedling stage: water control and root promotion, watering 500 times a week to dilute fish protein fertilizer (concentration 0:0).

Flowering period: increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate), spray boron fertilizer to prevent flower drop.

Expanded melon period: "thin fertilizer is applied frequently", and organic fertilizer for fruits and vegetables is applied every 10 days, and the melon strips are crisp and tender without deformity.

Fourth, 3 major management skills, insect control and quality improvement

1. "Insect treatment" ecological disease prevention

Hang blue sticky insect boards to trap thrips, release ladybugs to control aphids, and reduce pesticide residues.

2. "Topping" to promote branching

主蔓長至1.5米時摘心，保留3-4條側蔓，結瓜量翻倍。

3. "Bagging melon protection" to prevent bird pecking

When the young melon grows to 10 cm, it is wrapped in a gauze bag to prevent insect and bird bites and the skin is greener.

5. Bitter gourd + companion plant, double the space utilization

✅ Bitter gourd + coriander: Coriander repells aphids, and bitter gourd vine shades and delays coriander sprouting.

✅ Bitter gourd + amaranth: Amaranth is shade tolerant and has a short growth cycle, making room for bitter gourd after harvesting.

The sowing is busy before and after Qingming, and the bitter gourd planting is at the right time! Whether it is a courtyard fence or a balcony flower stand, planting a few bitter gourds can not only enjoy flowers and fruits, but also eat and recuperate.

What kind of bitter gourd variety has you grown in your family? Do you prefer the crispness of white jade bitter gourd, or do you prefer the richness of green bitter gourd? Welcome to leave a message and share the tips for staying bitter!