Watermelon is a summer staple, but growing them at home can be difficult without the right pollinators. Luckily, one gardening-loving dad has come up with a clever solution that's been getting quite a bit of buzz online.
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Instagram user Inyarachaa (@official_inyarachaa) shared a video explaining how to manually pollinate watermelon trees when bees and other insects are not available.
“When there are no bees or ants around to pollinate your flowers, you can pollinate them yourself,” the caption reads. “Super easy gardening hack.”
“My watermelons are self-pollinating, just like us humans,” Iñaracha explains in the video, before showing us how to gently pick off a tiny pollinated flower and transfer the pollen to other flowers on the plant.
“Put all that pollen in there,” he advises. “It's going to get into the plant kingdom.”
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This simple trick can be a game changer for home gardeners struggling to grow their own: By ensuring proper pollination, you can increase your chances of a bountiful harvest of juicy watermelon.
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Growing your own fruits and vegetables is not only a fun hobby, but it's also a great way to save money on grocery costs. The average watermelon costs between $5 and $10 in the store, so a successful backyard grower can save you a lot of money over the summer.
But the benefits don't end there: gardening is a great way to improve your physical and mental health – it gets you moving, reduces stress, connects you with nature, and is an activity the whole family can enjoy together.
From an environmental perspective, growing your own produce reduces the demand for mass-produced, store-bought fruits and vegetables, which often have to be transported long distances to reach your table. This cuts down on pollution from transportation and packaging waste, making a home-grown watermelon better for your wallet and the planet.
What people are saying
The Instagram Reels have received a lot of positive feedback, with many viewers excited to try out the technique for themselves.
One commenter extended the potential of this trick to other garden favourites, commenting: “This would also work for cucumbers, zucchinis and pumpkins.”
Another user praised the post's educational value, saying: “Great gardening lesson.”
Veteran gardeners also shared their experiences: “I do the same thing with plants I have in my greenhouse because the bees won't get in,” one wrote. “I continue to self-pollinate them using cotton swabs from flowering plants in my garden.”
This simple pollination tip is just one of many ways to take control and positively impact food production. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, giving this tip a try can make for a more enjoyable summer for both your taste buds and your budget.
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