Watermelon quick facts.

• Watermelon is one of the healthiest fruits with multiple benefits.
• 1200 varieties of watermelons are found in the world.
• Eating watermelons daily will improve your heart and bone health.
• Watermelons are 92% water only with a quite nutritious seeds. Its seed contains high level of magnesium, zinc and protein.
• Watermelon belongs to pumpkin family i.e. cucurbit family. It is considered as a vegetable (Wolford, 2004).

• Dry season with hot, sunny weather and deep or rich soil is best preferred by watermelons.
• Grown from seeds of open-pollinated heirloom variety. Soil should be at least 18°C for germination.
• If you have heavy clay soil; raise your bed.

• Have male and female flowers on the same vine.
• Female flowers are larger with tiny melon at the beginning of flowering too.
• Initial greenish patch at bottom of the fruit turns into yellowish on maturation.
• Other way to know about watermelon maturation is knocking down with hand. Unripe melons have higher pitcher sound.

• Use nitrogen-based fertilizers at the beginning of germination.
• After flowering apply phosphorous and potassium-based fertilizers for optimal melon production.
• 280 gram of watermelon gives about 80 calories.

Health benefits

1. Lycopene compounds found in watermelon- lower risk of heart diseases.
2. Reduce aortic stiffness found in older woman with menopause.
3. Arginine compound helps to improve blood flow.
4. Keep you hydrated.
5. Contains fiber-improves digestive system.
6. Skin and hair benefits.
7. Cancer prevention through antioxidants.