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Sweet, juicy watermelons are a delightful addition to the table every summer.
Learn how to save watermelon seeds for planting next spring.
Properly storedwatermelon seeds can lastup to five years.
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Watermelons for Eating and Seeds
Watermelons should be harvested at just the right time.
Watermelons do not ripen off the vine.
If you harvest them too early, they will be watery and not sweet.
When reserving some melons on the vine, let the melons soften slightly but do not let them rot.
Leaving seed-only melons on the vine can improve the quality of the seeds.
Do not eat the melon’s flesh.
Types of Seeds to Plant
Harvest and save black watermelon seeds for planting.
Do not use white seeds.Types of watermelonsto plant include:
Drop harvested seeds in a bowl of water.
Dispose of seeds that float since they’re less likely to be productive.
Watermelons need warm weather without intermittent cold spells, so plant the seeds after the last spring frost.
In the U.S. south and southwest, the last spring freeze occurs as early as January.
In western mountainous regions, it can be as late as May.
Watermelon seeds germinate fastest in soil that’s between 70 and 95F.
Consult theUSDA Plant Hardiness Zone Mapto learn the optimal watermelon growing season for your area.
7 Tips For Cleaning Fruits, Vegetables.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA).
Grow and Save Watermelon Seeds.
What are the 2024 Frost Dates?The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
When to Expect Your Last Spring Freeze.
National Centers For Environmental Information / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
