The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Citrullus lanatus. The quintessential watermelon – classic flavor and so sweet! Green striped, oval fruit with pink flesh and white seeds grow to 25 lbs. Thin rind means you can eat almost all the way to the skin, however it also means that it does not store super long or travel very well. Produces fewer seeds than most watermelon varieties and the white seeds are thinner making them easier to ignore while eating. Said to have excellent drought and disease resistance, it grows well for us in challenging conditions with no trouble. An heirloom from the 1880s, when Nancy Tate discovered it growing in a cotton field in Georgia.[1]
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly | Trellis Needed | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly |
Planting Season
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | 70°F soil temp | loamy, somewhat-sandy, well-drained soil, pH 6.0-7.0 | Regular watering |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Plant Size | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| 2' | 90 |
- Additional instructions: Melons like rich, very fertile, well-drained soil and should be planted in a mound. When growing fruit, place a cardboard or other form of protection from moisture underneath the fruit.[3]
- Harvesting instructions: Watermelons don’t sweeten after they are picked, so harvest time is important. If the watermelon sounds hollow, gives a little when pressed, it’s ripe. In addition, check the bottom of the melon: An immature watermelon will have a white bottom; a ripe melon will have a cream- or yellow-colored bottom. Or, Check the tendril. If it’s green, wait. If it’s half-dead, the watermelon is nearly ripe or ripe. If the tendril is fully dead, it’s ripe or overripe; it’s not going to get any riper, so you might as well pick! Stems should be cut with a sharp knife close to the fruit.[2]
Common Diseases and Pests
- Pests: Aphids, Cucumber Beetles, Squash Vine Borer Moths
- Disease: Fusarium Wilt
Useful Resources
- https://www.adaptiveseeds.com/product/vegetables/watermelons/watermelon-nancy-organic/ (seed source)
- https://www.almanac.com/plant/watermelons
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-watermelons-cantaloupes-47929.html
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.