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 80Full Sun, Moist Well Drained ##Bright strawberry-red melon features a delicate texture and outstanding flavor. Dark green with lighter green stripes. Long green fruits average 20 pounds and have white seeds. Good disease resistance. Heirloom. Tags: Harvest: Mid, Color: Red, Size: Large, Specialty: Disease Resistant, Heritage: Heirloom, Season: Summer, Certification: Organic.##Feral Farm##Certified Organic by CCOF##Seed grower since 2015##//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0129/8922/files/Feral-Farm-Photo-small.jpg?3##I started growing seed commercially as an apprentice at the Organic Farm School in the Puget Sound in Washington. I already loved growing vegetables, but taking a plant all the way through its life cycle felt like a special kind of honor, and I quickly saw the value in sustaining organic, important, and rare plant varieties and participating in sustainable food systems in this way. I moved to Oregon in 2015 and have been growing my organic seed farming business over the last four seasons by renting land from existing farms and slowly taking on higher volumes and more varieties. I’m currently growing 1.6 acres of certified organic seed crops and heirloom garlic.