Chinese Technique for Growing Watermelons

I found this as a post on another site. It is about an ancient Chinese technique used when growing watermelons. I’ve never heard of this and thought it was interesting…

During the day, the stone absorbs the sun’s heat, protecting the watermelon from its scorching heat. As night falls, the stone gradually releases that heat, creating a thermal contrast that stimulates the fruit’s ripening process, making it sweeter. It’s a simple agricultural trick, but it carries a profound understanding of nature and its effects on crops.

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I wonder if stones could also be used to create favorable microsites for seeds / seedlings, especially in places with short / cool growing seasons

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They use stone at the base of grape vines in vineyards to create a microclimate, so I would think it could work for seeds and seedlings too.

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