A farmer in Tianjin's Jinghai district plants watermelon in greenhouse.
Right now is the golden period for planting greenhouse watermelons and villagers are hard at work at the Yingshan Guwu family farm in Nanyuan Mengkou, a village in the town of Yanzhuang, in Tianjin's Jinghai district.
This year, the farm will cultivate over 800 mu of watermelons, which will be divided into three batches for planting from mid-March to mid-April.
"After planting the watermelons, it is crucial to control the temperature and humidity in the greenhouse. The temperature should be kept between 25°C and 35°C, and ventilation is necessary if it exceeds 35°C. We also need to prevent and control aphids, diseases, pests and root fungi. We use microbial fertilizers for sterilization through drip irrigation," said Wang Yingshan, who works on the family farm.
The varieties planted in the farm are known for their high sweetness and crispness, making them popular among consumers in the market.
Both the villagers and consumers welcome the development of watermelon cultivation.
The Yingshan Guwu Family Farm can create jobs for over 200 people, benefiting villagers in the area by raising their incomes right at their doorstep.
Watermelon planting began on the farm in 2021, and it has expanded from the initial 200 mu to 800 mu today. In the future, the farm plans to further increase the size of the crop, introduce more excellent varieties and planting techniques, establish a high-quality brand and help more villagers to increase their incomes and become prosperous.