Citrullus lanatus
Botanical Name
Citrullus lanatus
Hardiness
Tender annual
Height
1 to 2 feet
Width
3 to 20 feet
Fruit
Red and yellow flesh, maturing in 70 (early) to 85 days, seedless varieties available, 6 to 25 pounds
Light
Full sun
Soil
Moist, well-drained, organic, warm
Planting and Care
Plant seeds 1 deep in hills spaced 6 feet apart after danger of frost has passed. Plants can be started indoors 2-4 weeks before moving outside. Mulch soil around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Use a floating row cover to protect young plants from a late frost, to combat insects and to warm the soil.
Harvesting
Harvest watermelons when the fruits are full sized, dull colored, and the portion touching the ground changes from white to cream. Check the tendrils nearest the fruit for confirmations. These will curl and dry when fruit is ripe.
Problems
Powdery mildew, cucumber mosaic virus, squash vine borer, striped cucumber beetle, aphids, scab, flea beetles, fusarium wilt
Varieties to Consider
'Sweet Favorite' - 20 pound fruit
'Golden Crown' - early, skin is yellow when ripe
'Cotton Candy' - seedless, red, 15-20 pound fruit
'Golden Crown' - early, skin is yellow when ripe
'Cotton Candy' - seedless, red, 15-20 pound fruit
Did you know?
Harvest watermelons when the light green curly