The winter product season has begun
30 October, 2024
Kicking off the season with the first watermelon transplants
With the arrival of spring, Agrícola Navarro de Haro begins a new watermelon season, starting with the first transplants out in the field.
These early plantings are grafted watermelons, using pumpkin rootstock—a technique we use to increase the plant’s resistance to soil-borne diseases like fusarium and nematodes, and to boost both yield and fruit quality. Grafting involves joining the watermelon stem to that of a pumpkin plant, which acts as the rootstock and provides strength, vigor, and natural defenses.
It’s a delicate process that demands precision in the nursery and the utmost care once the plants are in the field: proper irrigation, good sun exposure, pest protection, and more.
Reservoir plants: our natural allies
This year, as we’ve done in previous seasons, we’ve once again incorporated a selection of reservoir plants into our fields. These species not only enhance the landscape, but also play a key role: they help feed and sustain populations of beneficial insects that support crop health.
Thanks to these plants, we encourage the presence of natural enemies of pests, helping to maintain balance in our crops in a more natural and sustainable way, while reducing the need for chemical treatments. It’s a strategy that reflects our way of working—with respect for the environment and a strong commitment to more responsible, sustainable farming.
