Watermelon - Blacktail Mountain

SKU:
CA$3.50
3.5 9 CA$3.50 - CA$9.00
Unavailable
Approximately 9 seeds per gram.
Lot# ME29024
Citrullus lanatus
The Blacktail Mountain watermelon is one of the earliest watermelons to mature in our northern climate.  The plant produces on average 6-8 solid dark green watermelons that are 20-23cm (8-9”) round and can weigh 1.3-5.4kg (3-12lbs) each.  The candy red flesh is super sweet and crunchy.  Blacktail Mountain is perfect for the short season area and does well in hot humid climates as well.
Planting Instructions:  
  • Sow 2-3 seeds 1cm (½") deep in 7-10cm (3-4”) pots.  Thin to the strongest plant. Start seeds indoors or in a greenhouse mid to late April.  Transplant at the end of May or the first week of June into the garden, when the plants are 5 weeks old and soil temperatures have warmed to 21-23̊C (70-75 ̊F). Set transplants 60-90cm (24-36") apart in rows 1.5-2.0m (5-6') apart.  If direct seeding, sow after all danger of frost is past and sow 5 or 6 seeds in groups 6-8' apart.
  • Soil Conditions:  Well worked, rich, loose, well-drained soil. Soil PH: 5.5-7.0, Ideal 6.3-6.5
  • Planting Depth:   Sow seeds 1cm (½") deep.
  • Height at Maturity: 15-30cm (6-12"). Spread: 1.5-1.8m (5-6’).
  • Days to Maturity:  70-85 days.  
  • Watering:   Watermelon has moderate to heavy water requirements to support both fruit and leaf production.  Try to use soaker hoses or drip lines to water with as this helps prevent fungal diseases and keeps water off the leaves.
  • Sun/Shade: Full Sun    
  • Spacing after Thinning:  76-154cm (30-60") apart in rows 1.5-3m (5-10') apart.
Additional Information
Make lots of room for the Blacktail Watermelon, as it spreads 1.5-1.8m (5-6’) in any direction.  There are 5 ideas of thought regarding the proper harvesting time of watermelons. (1)  Some people thump them and listen for a dull sound. (2) Some people scratch the skin and believe that if the rind scratches easily the melon is ripe. (3) Some people look at the underside, where the melon has lain on the ground, to see if the color has changed from white to cream-colored.  (4) Some people look to see that the tendril closest to the stem is turning brown and drying out. (5) Some people (like me) thump, scratch, look at the underside of the melon and then take a look at the tendril closest to the stem and just grab the largest melon and hope for the best.