Watermelon

The Seed Savers Exchange - A Russian variety first offered by Peter Henderson & Co. in 1898. Obtained from the SSE member Glenn Drowns who introduced it into the Seed Savers Exchange in 1987. Green oblong watermelons weigh about 10 pounds. The flesh is very sweet, juicy, and apricot-colored. Characteristics:  Organic Oblong fruits grow to 10 pounds Apricot-orange flesh Very sweet and juicy 80-85 days This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States. 25 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - A midseason variety bred by Asgrow Seed Company and introduced in 1972. Peacock-type with uniform, mildly sweet pink flesh, and hard rind. Resistant to fusarium wilt. Well-suited for shipping. 95 days.  Characteristics:  Organic Oval fruits have a very hard rind Grows well in most regions of the United States Resistant to fusarium wilt Well suited for shipping 25 seeds  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils.  Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - A deliciously sweet and refreshing small “icebox” watermelon. Ideal for small families—and small refrigerators. Early maturity, adapted to short-season areas. Excellent market variety. 65-80 days.  Characteristics:  Organic Small round fruits are ideal for small families and small refrigerators The pale yellow flesh is sweet and refreshing Excellent for market growers and short-season climates 65-80 days 25 seeds  This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils.  Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - Family heirloom from Montrose, Iowa that was once thought to be lost. The result of a cross between Hawkesbury and Dixie Queen was made by Chris Christensen in 1950. Reliable yields of 15-20 pound nearly round pale green fruits with jagged dark green stripes. Moderately sweet. 85-90 days.  Characteristics:  Organic Round fruits grow to 15-20 pounds Pink flesh and pale green skin with jagged dark green stripes Moderately sweet flavor 25 seeds  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils.  Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - Eye-popping and scrumptious with bright pink sweet flesh and black seeds, this variety produces fruits that are about 2' long and weigh 10-16 pounds. Introduced in 1924 as Sun, Moon, and Stars by Peter Henderson & Co of New York. This strain is from Mereel Hales of Oklahoma who feels it is a pure example of the original variety Hales received from a Cherokee man in Mississippi. 95 days. Characteristics:  Organic Elongated fruits grow to 24 inches long Fruits weigh up to 10-16 pounds Sweet pink flesh Speckled rind with "moon" and "star" markings 95 days 25 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - In the early 1900s Chelsea, Iowa was famous for melons grown on the sandy hills north of town. Farmers would fill their horse-drawn “triple box” wagons in the field, haul them to town, and sell the melons right from the wagons. Today SSE member Marvin Kucera is the only person growing this watermelon in Chelsea. Sweet, pink-fleshed, 15-20 pound fruits with white seeds will keep for several weeks once picked. 80-90 days.  Characteristics:  Organic Round fruits grow to 15-20 pounds Pink flesh with white seeds Sweet and keeps well once picked 25 seeds This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils.  Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - Introduced by Southern Exposure Seed Exchange in 1987. Foliage and fruits are spotted with yellow, just like the original Van Doren strain, but the flesh is yellow and seeds are white. Sweet fruits up to 24" long and 16 pounds in weight. Shows some tolerance to disease and drought. 95 days.  Characteristics:  Organic Oval fruits grow to 24 inches long and 16 pounds Yellow flesh and white seeds Foliage and fruits are spotted with yellow Shows some disease and drought tolerance 95 days 25 seeds  This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - Introduced into the 1991 Yearbook by Dr. Larry Woods from Georgia. His seed source grew this variety since the 1950s. Oblong 20-35 pound fruits with dark and light green stripes. Extra-firm deep yellow flesh and black seeds. Quite productive, very high sugar content. 95-100 days.  Characteristics:  Organic Oblong fruits grow to 20-35 pounds Extra-firm, deep yellow flesh and black seeds Rinds are dark green with light green stripes Very high sugar content 95-100 days 25 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - Gorgeous green-black round fruits weigh 6-12 pounds. Deep scarlet flesh is super sweet, juicy, and crunchy. Perfect for short-season areas; also does well in hot humid climates. Bred by SSE member Glenn Drowns in the 1970s when he lived in northern Idaho, where summer nights average 43°F. 65-75 days. Organic Round fruits grow to 6-12 pounds Deep scarlet flesh, dark green-black rind Super sweet, juicy, and crunchy Perfect for short-season areas; also does well in hot humid climates 65-75 days This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States. 25 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - This juicy, flavorful variety ranks first with Seed Savers Exchange’s greenhouse manager, who has sampled dozens of watermelon varieties. Acquired by Joseph Borries about 1970, it so impressed his family that they have grown this heirloom variety faithfully in Illinois since that time. The oblong fruit averages 15-20 pounds, ripens to green with dark-green stripes and produces yellow, sweet flesh. 80 days.  Characteristics:  Organic 80 days 25 seeds  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

Excellent short-season variety with reliable yields of sweet, juicy melons. High Mowing Organic Seeds - The standard for small watermelons! Perfectly rounded fruits range from 7-8.5" in diameter with a solid green rind and deep red flesh. Our strain has been selected for cool growing conditions and high yields. Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Drought tolerant  6-12 lbs  75 days (Short Season) 1/16 oz approx.  Instructions - Watermelons are warm-season tender annuals. Sandy or light-textured soils that warm easily in the spring are desirable. Melons are heavy feeders. Give 80-120 lbs of N per acre. Calcium deficiency can lead to blossom end rot, especially when adequate moisture is not available.  Use dolomitic limestone. Plant 1/2" deep Plant spacing: 12-18"  Row Spacing: 6' row centers  Sow:  Days to maturity are from transplanting, add 10-14 days if direct seeding. Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - An outstanding little watermelon, with golden-yellow rind and salmon-pink flesh. Pleasantly sweet, about 3 pounds in weight. Bred by Elwyn Meader and Albert Yaeger at UNH in 1959; a cross between New Hampshire Midget and Pumpkin Rind. Has a built-in ripeness indicator: fruits turn yellow when ready. Very early variety, ripening in just 70 days.  Characteristics:  Fruits grow to 3 pounds Salmon-pink flesh, golden yellow rind Fruits turn yellow when ready to harvest Good for short seasons Ripens in 70 days 25 seeds  This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils.  Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - Eye-popping and scrumptious with bright pink sweet flesh and black seeds, this variety produces fruits that are about 2' long and weigh 10-16 pounds. Introduced in 1924 as Sun, Moon, and Stars by Peter Henderson & Co of New York. This strain is from Mereel Hales of Oklahoma who feels it is a pure example of the original variety Hales received from a Cherokee man in Mississippi. 95 days. Characteristics:  Organic Elongated fruits grow to 24 inches long Fruits weigh up to 10-16 pounds Sweet pink flesh Speckled rind with "moon" and "star" markings 95 days 25 seeds Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - Traditional Russian watermelon introduced to American gardeners by SSE in 1991. Round 10-12" fruits with a very dark green rind and sweet red flesh. The early maturing variety is well suited for northerly gardens and high altitudes. Great little icebox melon, holds for several weeks after picking. 80-90 days.  Characteristics:  Round fruits grow to 10-12 inches Red flesh and dark green-black rind Sweet, holds well in storage Early maturing, good for short seasons 25 seeds  This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils.  Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability 

The Seed Savers Exchange - (aka Dixie Belle) Southern favorite introduced in 1924 by Hastings Seed Company of Atlanta, Georgia. One of the most popular watermelons during the 1930s and 1940s but is now scarce. Round dark green fruits with sweet pink flesh average 30 pounds. Thick rind resists splitting, a good choice for shipping or storage. The rind is also excellent for pickling. 80-95 days.  Characteristics:  Organic Round fruits grow to 30 pounds Sweet, pink flesh Thick, dark green rind prevents splitting and is good for pickling 80-95 days 25 seeds  This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils.  Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability