Watermelon

Not available for the 2024 Season 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   

Not available for the 2024 Season Seed Exchange - Brought to Saskatchewan by Russian immigrants. Does well in cool northern climates. Round fruits up to 10" in diameter, 4-10 pounds. A rare treat with sweet white flesh, exceptional flavor. Pale green skin with dark stripes. Very thin rind and must be handled with care—strictly garden to table. 80-85 days. Characteristics:  Organic Round fruits grow to 4-10 pounds Sweet white flesh with exceptional flavor Very thin, pale green rind with dark stripes Does well in cool northern climates 80-85 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   

Not available for the 2024 Season The Seed Savers Exchange - Developed by Mr. H.A. Halbert of Texas and introduced in 1902 by the W. Atlee Burpee seed house. Thirty years later the Steckler Seed Co. of New Orleans still called it “one of the best tasting melons on the market, a favorite”. Sweet pink flesh with a crisp juicy texture. The dark green elongated fruit has a thin, somewhat delicate rind. 90-100 days Characteristics:  Organic Dark green, elongated fruit with somewhat delicate rind Pink flesh with crisp, juicy texture Sweet flavor Tan-white tipped seeds 85-95 days to maturity 25 Seeds per packet 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 

Not available for the 2024 Season The Seed Savers Exchange - This watermelon came to SSE from Virdie Smith of Gladewater, Texas. The highly productive plants bear many medium-sized fruits with striped rinds and high sugar content. It is possible that the watermelon originated in Africa and that it was cultivated in the Nile Valley as early as the 2nd millennium BCE and is mentioned in the Bible. Later the watermelon was brought to India and China before being brought to Europe. It was brought to North America by European colonists and African slaves.  Characteristics:  Organic Favorite of SSE staff Light green rind with irregular, dark green stripes from stem to blossom end 25 seeds  Instructions - Watermelon seeds can be sown directly into the ground or planted indoors in soil trays or pots 4 weeks before planting them outside. This is a heat-loving plant, so make sure that all chance of frost has passed and the soil has warmed before planting them outdoors. Watermelon seeds germinate in 4-10 days and can be planted outdoors in hills that are 12 inches across and 8 feet apart. Sow 6-8 seeds per hill at around 1/2 inch deep and thin the hill to 3-4 plants as the vines grow. If you are transplanting your watermelon, plant them in rows that allow ample room for vines to spread. This variety should be mature in 90 days. 25 seeds per packet. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers based on availability