Delicious watermelons with sweet and tender flesh. Measuring approximately 18 inches in length and weighing around 35 pounds at maturity, it stands out from other watermelons due to its thick rind.
Sow your watermelon seeds indoors up to 4 weeks before the last ground frost. Plant 3 or 4 seeds in a peat pot at a depth of 1/2 inch. When the seedlings have true leaves, select the strongest one by cutting the others with scissors. Transplant the seedlings to the garden after acclimating them, at least one week after the last ground frost. Leave 6 to 8 feet of space between each plant and provide them with rich, loose soil. You can use black plastic to offer thermal protection to the roots.
Once the watermelon vines have started to grow well, apply a thick layer of mulch to control weeds. Keep the soil moist until the fruits have developed, and only water when the soil is completely dry thereafter.
During harvest, test the sound of your melons to determine if they are ripe. A dull thud rather than a hollow sound should indicate readiness. Another technique is to check if the section of the melon touching the ground is a rich yellow color.
