Klondike Blue Ribbon Striped Watermelon (90 Days)

The Klondike Blue Ribbon Striped Watermelon has one of the highest sugar contents of the varieties we offer, a garden standard since 1939. Medium to large sized oblong fruit covered by narrow dark stripes; bright crimson flesh has that homegrown watermelon flavor; perfect for a late summer BBQ. Resistance to Fusarium Wilt, anthracnose. 

20 seeds

PLANTING

Citrullus lanatus

Germination: 4-10 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-85ºF

Seed Sowing Depth: 1/2" deep

Sowing Indoors: 3-4 weeks before last frost. Provide 70-85ºF soil temperature. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces root damage when transplanting. Transplant after the last frost, 36-48" apart.

Sowing Outdoors: After the last frost, when soil temperature is over 70ºF. 

How much does a packet plant: 18-20 foot single row, 5-6 hills

Harvest: Look for the following signs, as it does take some practice on telling when they are ready to harvest. The closest tendril to the stem dries, there is a crack in the stem that attaches the watermelon to the vine, where the watermelon touches the ground it should be a butter yellow color, give it a knock with your hands, and it should sound hollow, the skin is dull, and slipping of the stem from the melon with slight finger pressure.

Tips:  Plant the Klondike Blue Ribbon Striped Watermelon in fertile soil, amended with compost or well-rotted manure, and keep well watered. They benefit from growing on black plastic and from using row covers for weed and insect control, and for more rapid growth.