Citrullus lanatus## HOW TO GROW WATERMELON Start indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost, plant out 2 weeks after last frost. Direct seed every 18” when soil is 70˚F. Store at 45˚F. Optimal temperature for plant growth is between 80-95˚F with nighttime temperatures above 70˚F. Water transplants more early on, sparingly as plants mature. Mulch to prevent weed competition. One beehive is suggested per acre for seedless varieties. The most commonly used signs of fruit maturity is to check if the tendril bearing the fruit has dried and withered or if the ground spot has turned a warm yellowish cream color. A number of seed growers give watermelon seed a 1 to 2 day fermentation period which helps free the seed from all endocarp material. Soil pH 6.5-7.5. Hardiness zones 4-9. Annual.Days from maturity calculated from the date of seeding. Average 625–875 seeds per ounce. Average 15M seeds per acre. Federal germination standard: 70%. Usual seed life: 6 years. Isolation distance for seed saving: 1/2 mile.Planting Depth 1/2-1”Soil Temp. Germ. 70-95˚FDays to Germ. 3-8Plant Spacing 2-3’Row Spacing 6’Days To Maturity 75–85Full Sun, Moist Well Drained ##Developed by Glenn Drowns in his early 20s as a cross between Sugar Baby and an unknown watermelon. He wanted a watermelon that would ripen in extreme northern Idaho. Blacktail Mountain is quite possibly the earliest watermelon ever grown. Vines grown to about 10’ in diameter. Fruit are deep green with a very faint stripe and red flesh. The average melon is 8–10” across and weighs 8 to 10 pounds. Also stores very long for a green skinned watermelon, up to two months. Has a crisp sweet flavor. Storage types usually have a white rind. Tags: Harvest: Early, Color: Red, Shape: Round, Season: Summer, Certification: Organic.##Strong Roots##Certified Organic by CCOF##Seed grower since 2004##//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0129/8922/files/Strong-Roots-Farm.jpg?v=1607656897##Strong Roots Farm grows certified organic seed, produce, and garden starts in Mendocino County, California. Seeds from the farm go to other seed companies, and are sold through northern California retail outlets and online as Open Circle Seeds.
