Crimson Sweet Watermelon (Organic 85 Days)

AAS winner from the 1960s. The Crimson Sweet Watermelon has a classic light and dark green striped rind and deep red flesh with the perfect amount of sweetness.  Almost round fruits can reach 15- 25 pounds. Vines spread 8 feet and are resistant to anthracnose and fusarium wilt.

20 seeds

PLANTING

Citrullus lanatus

Germination: 4-10 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-85ºF

Seed Sowing Depth: 1/2" deep

Sowing Indoors: 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-85ºF soil temperature. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces root damage when transplanting. Transplant after last frost, 36-48" apart.

Sowing Outdoors: After the last frost when the soil temperature is over 70ºF. 

How much does a packet plant: 18-20 foot single row, 5-6 hills

Harvest: Look for the following signs as it does take some practice on telling when they are ready to harvest. The closest tendril to the stem dries, there is a crack in the stem that attaches the watermelon to the vine, where the watermelon touches the ground it should be a butter yellow color, give it a knock with your hands it should sound hollow, the skin is dull, and slipping of the stem from the melon with slight finger pressure.

Tips:  Plant Crimson Sweet Watermelon in fertile soil, amended with compost or well-rotted manure, and keep well watered. They benefit from growing on black plastic and by using row covers for weed, insect control, and more rapid growth.