By the 1840s Mountain Sweet Watermelon was extremely popular in the Mid-Atlantic States and, because it shipped well, was grown almost exclusively for the Philadelphia and New York City markets. The large melons are round to slightly pear-shaped and the bright scarlet-red flesh is extremely sweet.
Direct sow seeds in hills or rows after the last spring frost; for hills, sow 6-8 seeds per 12”-wide hill, then thin to the best 3 plants per hill. To grow in a shorter season, start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost. Watermelons prefer light, fertile soil on the dry side. Approximately 10 seeds per packet.
Details
Genus | Citrullus |
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Species | lanatus cv. |
Exposure | Full Sun | Planting Method | Direct Sow | Planting Depth | 1" |
Plant Spacing | Thin to 4’ apart, rows 5’; or hills 4-6’ |
Habit | 12-18”H |