Natural, untreated and GMO-free seeds. Hybrid seeds.
Watermelons do not continue to ripen after being picked, so harvest timing is important. They usually ripen over a period of two weeks, so keep an eye on them. Hit the fruit. If the watermelon sounds hollow, it is ripe. Look at the color on top. The watermelon is ripe when there is little contrast between the stripes. Look at the color at the bottom. An immature watermelon will have a white background; a ripe melon will have a cream or yellow background. The stems should be cut with a sharp knife close to the fruit.
WATER: Watering is key. As plants grow, flower and fruit, they need about 2 inches of water per square foot (about 1.5 gallons) per week. Water in the morning and try to avoid getting the leaves wet, as wet foliage encourages fungal and other diseases. If possible, use drip irrigation to keep plants watered consistently and evenly. Mulching around plants can help retain moisture. Reduce watering once the fruit grows. Hot, dry weather produces the sweetest melons. If you had an exceptional amount of rain during the ripening phase, this can cause bland fruit.
FEED: To encourage strong growth, mix 4 to 6 inches of composted manure into your melon beds before planting. Then add a balanced organic fertilizer (such as a blood meal/bone meal mixture) every 3 to 4 weeks. Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, as too much nitrogen can lead to lots of foliage and fewer fruits.
