Kleckley Sweet Watermelon (Heirloom, 85 Days)

The Kleckley Sweet Watermelon is a pre 1900 Heirloom also known as Monte Christo or Wonder Melon. The large, 25 to 40 pound fruits are oblong with square ends and a relatively thin dark green rind. The flesh is bright red and very sweet with white seeds.

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 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 last frost when 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 the Kleckley 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.