On the festive table for Ligo and Jāņi, cheese and beer are usually seen, however, in the household of the Kantans family in the Limbaži region, homegrown watermelons hold an honored place.
Hosts Mareks and Aija Kantans told in the Latvian television program Rīta Panorāma that the first harvest here ripens before the holidays, and the first fruits are usually ready by around June 13 — just in time for their son's birthday, writes LSM+.
Mareks Kantans admits that cutting the first watermelon every year becomes a small surprise. A few days before Jāņi, the watermelon is almost ready to eat.
Such an early harvest in Latvian conditions can only be achieved with additional heating. "The greenhouse needs to be heated earlier; otherwise, nothing will come of it," Kantans explained.
This year, the first watermelons were sown on March 12, and about a month later, they were planted in the greenhouse. Different varieties are grown there, but in recent years, the hosts have preferred smaller watermelons.
"Now we try to grow smaller varieties of watermelons. Not to overdo it with the size, because the smallest varieties in the greenhouse are easier to tie up and hold. And in terms of taste, it seems to me that small watermelons are much tastier," the farmer said.
In the greenhouse, only watermelons grafted onto pumpkin roots are grown.
"I do the grafting myself. Here you can see the cut area. This is pumpkin. Do you see the cotyledon leaf of the pumpkin? And further, the watermelon is grafted onto it."
The largest watermelon that was managed to be grown on the farm by Jāņi weighed 20 kilograms.
The June watermelon harvest is not sold — it is intended for their own table. However, watermelons grown in the summer do make it to the market.
"First of all, you grow for yourself. When something is left over — then for others. That’s the whole point. There’s enough for both yourself and others. That’s the thrill — to eat yourself and share this joy with those around you."
Watermelons hold an important place for the Kantans family in the celebration of Jāņi. Last year, when the holidays were rainy, guests were received right in the greenhouse. "On Jāņi, we had tables set up here. Guests arrived, and we could enjoy them right from the bush."
When asked if watermelon is appropriate on the festive table on Jāņi, Mareks Kantans replies:
"With cheese? I think it also goes well with beer. And it fits with cheese too — why not?"
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