Watermelon

(54 varieties to choose from)

Unless otherwise noted, all packets will contain 15 to 20 seeds. Plant after danger of frost is past or start indoors 2 weeks prior and set out. We recommend covering young transplants with milk jugs which have the bottom cut out for a week or so. Most varieties do best if you have a hill of 3 plants every 6 to 8 feet. Blacktail Mountain and other early varieties can be planted closer. Updated for 2024.

Clay County

Clay County- 80 days- pale green with darker green stripes rather blocky fruit shape , very productive. The issue was it ripened as we were getting about 5 inches of rain a week and it had tendency to burst open. Flesh is a yellow orange in color and very refreshing. An heirloom from the south and worth growing everywhere. Pkt $2.00 Certified Organic Seed

Cream of Saskatchewan

Cream of Saskatchewan- 82 days- A small 4 to 8 pound striped melon with a very thin rind that has a white sweet flesh. It is very sweet and tasty. Pkt. $2.50 Certified Organic Seed.

C. S. White Flesh

C. S. White Flesh- 85 days - A superb melon of dark green rind with sweet, cream colored flesh. Excellent quality. This is a superb melon once you can convince people the flesh color doesn't have to be red. Selected by Curtis Showell in 1980. Pkt. $2.00 Certified Organic Seed

Desert King

Desert King- 90 days - Unique, pale green skin and light yellow flesh with dark seeds. Does well in hot areas and I have never seen one sunburn as the skin color is light so they do not get sunburned when it gets hot and dry. Pkt. $3.00

Honey Cream

Honey Cream - 85 days - Light green with darker green stripe, round melons with yellow/orange flesh, 8 to 10 pounds. Pkt. $2.00

Honey Island

Honey Island - 83 days - Thanks to Richard Wolfe for helping us increase this and for helping us to keep this going. Richard contacted us looking for seed at one of those times when we were swamped and this one was perishing in the collection. I sent him seed and he perpetuated it and sent us back a new, larger fresh seed sample for us to increase and we are now ready to get it circulated again. This was last offered commercially in 1987. A nice, icebox size melon that has bright lemon yellow flesh and a dark green rind with faint stripes. Pkt. $2.25 Certified Organic Seed

Luscious Golden

Luscious Golden- 85 days- Deep green rind with golden orange flesh, 10 to 15 pounds. Very good quality, fruit is long in shape. Pkt. $1.75

Orangeglo

Orangeglo- 85 days - Superb tasting. Oblong striped melon with super sweet orange flesh. Fruit averages 15 pounds. Pkt. $3.50

Orange Flesh Tendersweet

Orange Flesh Tendersweet- 90 days- Medium, light green rind with dark green stripes, deep orange flesh, white seeded, 35 to 45 pound melons. Pkt. $1.50

Petite Yellow

Petite Yellow- 80 days - Small, mottled, striped, small seeds. Yellow fleshed. Very tasty. Pkt. $2.50 Certified Organic Seed

Sand Mountain Sunshine

Sand Mountain Sunshine - 82 days - Gary Glover of Alabama sent us this sure fire hit with melon lovers. Planted July 3 in 2018, it roared to heavy vine production and fruit production with lots of 15 to 20 lb blocky, oblong fruits, medium green fruits with slight striping. Flesh is incredibly refreshing, pale yellow, not intensely sweet, but each leaves you wanting more. I find it very similar to Orangeglo. Pkt. $2.25 Certified Organic Seed

Sweet Siberian

Sweet Siberian- 85 days- Elliptical shaped, medium dark green rind. Fruits are 4 to 6 pounds with apricot orange flesh. (An old Oscar Will variety). Pkt. $2.00 Certified Organic Seed

Texas Golden

Texas Golden-90 days- a pale skinned long melon with bright orange flesh. An old Willhite variety from the early 1960’s. 15-25 pound fruits. Pkt. $2.50 Certified Organic Seed

Yellow Fleshed Moon and Stars

Yellow Fleshed Moon and Stars- 90 days- A fabulous moon and stars type. Oblong melons weigh 30 to 40 pounds and have a pale yellow flesh. Yields are high and quality stays up for a long time. Pkt. $2.00

Yellow Sugar Lump

Yellow Sugar Lump- 85 days- Small striped fruit, 6 to 8 pounds. Pale lemon yellow flesh. Thin rind. Pkt. $2.50 Certified Organic Seed LIMIT 1 PACKET

CREAM, WHITE, YELLOW OR ORANGE FLESHED

pink or red fleshed

Arikara

Arikara- 75 days- we are thankful to Darian Kath at Knife River Indian Village National Historical Site in North Dakota that sent us the fresh sample of this. I first saw this variety in early August of 1984 at the Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron Nebraska. Small vines, hand sized fruit that was very seedy. At one point in history it must have been a taste treat for the farming Native Americans and early white settlers of the high plains. Now with so many larger less seedy and sweeter types it has probably past its glory time. I maintained it for many years losing my supply to some seed weevils. I am pleased to have it again. I challenge folks to grow a sample maybe just a plant or to to see how plant breeding ( not genetic engineering ) has changed this primitive sort into the modern more favorable cultivars. Too often in todays easy gratification world we forget how great something like this must have tasted before the high surgery sodas and refined sugar products of today. Planted July 20 in 2021 it grew in minimal moisture and produced melons in early October.Pkt. $1.50 Certified Organic Seed.

Blackstone

Blackstone- 85 days- Dark green. Thick rind suitable for pickles, red flesh. Our biggest in 2010 was 48 lbs. Pkt. $2.00 Certified Organic Seed

Blacktail Mountain

Blacktail Mountain- 73 days- My own development, created while I lived in northern Idaho, a location which has cool 35 to 45 degree nights and short seasons. The fruit is dark green with very faint stripes, flesh is an orange red similar to Sugar Baby. Continuously, it is my earliest type in over 100 varieties grown each season. Fruit averages 6 to 10 pounds. Our son, Cory, and family moved to a new home in mid-July, 2013 and he wanted to plant a garden. He stuck in some Blacktail Mountain seed on July 18 and was rewarded in late September with an abundance of nice sized ripe melons. I planted the crop on June 19 in 2016 and the first ripe on was August 28 ( 70 days) with a continuous supply thru the end of October. Pkt $1.75; 2 Pkts. $3.00 Certified Organic Seed OSSI pledged variety

Bradford

Bradford- 90 days- large thick skinned old fashioned type, dark green rind. Pkt. $2.00

Cannonball

Cannonball- 90 days- Round in shape as the name implies, solid dark green rind with red flesh, 15 to 20 pounds. Does exceptionally well in drought conditions. Pkt. $2.00 Certified Organic Seed

Charleston Gray 133

Charleston Gray 133- 90 days- Long, pale green selection of Charleston Gray, fruits have a pink red flesh. Flesh is firm, sweet and very tasty, 15 to 20 pounds. Don’t dismiss this one just because the flesh isn’t a dark red. Pkt. $1.50

Chelsea

Chelsea- 90 days-Unlike most heirlooms which were maintained in a single family for generations, Chelsea was raised commercially in the river bottom valley of it's origin in Chelsea, Iowa. A large pink melon with a pale green rind, this variety is sweet and reliable in seasons which are hot and dry. The seed for our start came from a gentleman named Marvin who saved this variety from extinction and also supplied Seed Saver's Exchange with their start of the great variety. Marvin still lives in Chelsea and still raises this variety. When we obtained our seeds Marvin sent a note stating, "When I was in country school back in the 40's we always had a Chelsea melon every Friday afternoon when melon's were in season. Everyone living along Highway 212 Northeast and Northwest of Chelsea would be selling these watermelons in triple box wagons along the highway. - Marvin." Pkt. $2.50

Certified Organic Seed

Cherokee Moon and Stars

Cherokee Moon and Stars- 90 days- A nice 30 to 40 pound, dark green rind with the yellow spotted foliage and fruit. This strain has nice red flesh and is crisp and tasty. Pkt. $2.00 Certified Organic SeedUnavailable for 2024

Cole's Early

Cole’s Early - 80 days - Small, 9 to 10 pounds, striped melon, high yields on medium length vines, red fleshed. Flesh is not of the highest quality, but rind is excellent for watermelon rind pickles. Pkt. $2.00 Certified Organic Seed

Early Arizona

Early Arizona- 83 days- Dark green skin, red, very sweet flesh, 8 to 10 pounds. Originally obtained from the Tillinghast Seed Company in Washington in the early 1980’s. Pkt. $1.75 Certified Organic Seed

Early Canada

Early Canada -75 days- small pale green rind with a nice firm pink red flesh. Once popular now nearly extinct. Small seeds. Pkt. $3.00 Certified Organic Seed Limit 1 packet UNAVAILABLE FOR 2024

Early Jumbo

Early Jumbo- 82 days- 10 to 15 pound, darkish green, slightly striped melon, deep red flesh with white seeds. The bright red flesh is a real standout for an early melon. Pkt. $1.75 Certified Organic Seed

Early Midget

Early Midget- 80 days- A small, grey-green, faint striped melon with large black seeds, 3 pounds. Pkt. $3.00 Certified Organic Seed

Early Yates

Early Yates- 83 days- Grey-green rind, round in shape, pink red flesh, 8 to 12 pounds in size. originally selected in Australia. Pkt. $2.25 Certified Organic Seed

Fairfax

Fairfax- 90 days- Long pale green rind with wavy dark green stripes. The up to 40 pound melons have a pale pink-red flesh. Did splendid in 2014 in poor soil and a poor year. Pkt. $1.50 Certified Organic Seed

Garrison

Garrison - 85 days - A refined version of Garrisonian and Georgia Rattlesnake. Long, striped melons, red flesh, 20 to 25 pounds. Did very well in 2012 - both yield and quality. UNAVAILABLE IN 2024

Golden Midget

Golden Midget- 80 days- Small fruits turn yellow when ripe, 3 pounds. Rather seedy, but valuable genes here for future breeding programs. Pkt. $2.50 Certified Organic seed

Harris Earliest

Harris Earliest - 83 days - Light green skin, 10 to 15 lb fruits with pink red flesh. Fruits hold their quality well. Pkt. $2.00

Halbert's Honey

Halbert’s Honey - 88 days - One of my early friends in the seed saving world was Virgil Johnson who always claimed this was the best. We are finally able to offer this dark green rind, oblong melon with very sweet crisp, pink/red flesh and white seeds. Fruits average 20 to 30 pounds. Pkt. $2.00 Certified Organic Seed

Ice Cream

Ice Cream- 90 days- an variety my friend Tom Knoche searched for for years. When he finally got sample it was crossed with a black seeded type so there is still a chance some will come out black seeded. Bright Pink flesh and a thick rind.Flesh just looks soft like cotton candy Pkt. $2.50 Certified Organic Seed

Irish Grey

Irish Grey- 100 days- an excellent variety for fall storage. The fruits have a thick almost hard rind and very crisp flesh of a pale pink color. Fruit stays crisp and tasty for a considerable length of time after picking. Pkt. $3.00 Certified Organic Seed UNAVAILABLE FOR 2024

Ironsides

Ironsides - 90 days - Large, Black Diamond type, oblong, dark green rind. Released by the USDA in 1950 as fusarium resistant variety. Fruit can get up to 40 lbs.Pkt. $2.50

Jubilee

Jubilee- 90 days - Oblong, striped fruit, 30 to 40 lbs, red-fleshed. These were once commonly grown commercially before our society was overtaken by the seedless melon craze. Pkt. $1.50

Karpas Greek

Karpas Greek - 100 days - Semi-oblong in shape. Rind is a blend of medium green with dark green stripes; deep dark red flesh, 15 pounds. this one is late but tasty and was sent to us from Greece. Pkt. $2.00 Certified Organic Seed

King Winter

King Winter - 86 days - Larger of the two keeping types. Fruits are typically in the 15 to 20 lb range, skin is greenish white with faint streaks. Fruits, when picked just before peak ripeness, will ripen gradually and keep for 3 months when stored in a cool location. Pkt. $2.00 Certified Organic Seed

Ledmon

Ledmon- 85 days- An excellent melon with superb flavor, 15 to 20 pounds. Rind is extremely thin so it does not ship well. Flesh is a pinkish-red color. Has a very long history that you may inquire about if interested. PKT. $3.00

Long Moon and Stars

Long Moon and Stars- 95 days- Late season selection of Moon and Stars that I selected for some years ago. Fruits are long, grow slowly and ripen late. Pale, red flesh, 20 to 25 pounds UNAVAILABLE FOR 2024

New Hampshire Midget

New Hampshire Midget- 76 days- Small vines, very productive with pale green, slightly striped fruits about the size of your hand, pale red flesh. Rind is very thin, quality is good when picked young. Overripe it is of low quality. This variety nearly became extinct as all commercial suppliers suddenly stopped carrying it in the early 1990’s. Pkt. $2.50 Certified Organic Seed

Petite Sweet

Petite Sweet- 75 days- small striped melons with very tiny seeds. Flesh is sweet and tasty and holds well. Pkt. $3.00 Certified Organic Seed. Limit 1 packet UNAVAILABLE FOR 2024

Pride of Iowa (aka Iopride)

Pride of Iowa (aka Iopride)- 95 days- Dark green skin with darker green stripes,deep pink red flesh, tan seeds. For years I never really gave it high marks as it was always planted in a poor location, in 2024 it got planted in a good spot, did very well and has super crisp sweet flesh deserving of its name. Pkt. $3.00 Certified Organic Seed

Parks

Parks- 90 days- an old variety from the south. In 2024 it did fabulous and produced some 50-60 pound fruit. It tends to have a hollow heart but the flesh has a very refreshing. taste, Pkt. $3.00 Certified Organic Seed

Rhode Island Red

Rhode Island Red- 85 days- nice firm fleshed crisp melon Pkt. $3.00 Certified Organic Seed

Royal Golden

Royal Golden- 85 days- The perfect melon for those who want to be sure to know how to pick a ripe melon. Melons turn bright yellow to light orange (skin) when they are ripe. Flesh is red, tender and sweet. Occasional off type longer fruit can be expected. Fruits weigh 10 to 15 pounds. Pkt. $3.00 Certified Organic Seed

Scaley Bark

Scaley Bark- 90 days- Mottled green, thick rind. medium red flesh, very old history. Fruits stay good in the field for a long time. Pkt. $2.00

Schlechter

Schlechter- 80 days- a very old early melon. Story goes it was imported from the Ukraine when the Volga Germans immigrated to America. It is a very early melon, sweet but very seedy. I have been told a syrup like material was made from the flesh and seeds were ground into a coffee like beverage when brewed. This is a melon from the times when people were looking for something that could be used multiple ways. Pkt. $2.00 Certified Organic Seed UNAVAILABLE FOR 2024

Siberian Lights

Siberian Lights- 70 days- sent to us by several people for its earliness and productivity. It did very well from a July 3 planting this year and may be earlier than Blacktail Mountain. I will do a same day side by side planting next year to check. Fruit is similar in size and shape to Blacktail Mountain but it does not hold well. When they are ripe they are ripe . Pkt. $2.00 Certified Organic Seed

Spotted

Spotted - 85 days - Slight, faint, light green colored spots. Not like a Moon and Stars with bright yellow - these are more subtle. A very heavy producer, an old heirloom variety. Flesh is a uniform red color. Pkt. $2.00

Striped Georgia Giant

Striped Georgia Giant- 100 days- Light green with dark green stripes, pink red flesh, 30 to 50 pounds. Pkt. $2.00 Certified Organic Seed. Pkt. $2.50 Certified Organic Seed

Texas Giant

Texas Giant- 94 days- A large dark green thick rind, red flesh, Black Diamond type, 40 to 50 pounds. Pkt. $2.50 Certified Organic Seed

Texas Pink

Texas Pink- 87 days - Faintly striped melon, 16 to 20 pounds, variable in shape and quality. What I call a turkey melon. High Yields of mediocre flavored fruits but animals love it. Pkt. $2.50 Certified Organic Seed

Wibb

Wibb - 85 days - A superb type that has very deep red flesh. Fruits average 10 to 12 lbs. Those who feel watermelon has to be deep red will like this one. Pkt. $2.00

Wills Sugar

Wills Sugar- 90 days- Round, medium green skin, pale red flesh, 10 to 14 pounds. (An old Oscar Will variety) Pkt. $1.50 UNAVAILABLE FOR 2024

Wilson Sweet

Wilson Sweet- 85 days- A uniquely colored melon that we were pleased to reintroduce to the public after many years of being out of circulation. We were thrilled when a customer sent us a sample of this variety which I’d only seen a picture of in a 1961 seed catalog. The rind is somewhat mottled in appearance giving it excellent sunburn resistance. The 10 to 20 pound melons have solid, firm, super sweet red flesh. Part of our goal and work here is to see material get picked up and carried by other places. When we first offered this we were the soul source, now we are pleased to see it being offered in wholesale amounts and by numerous companies. Bravo! One more saved from extinction. Pkt. $2.25 Certified Organic Seed UNAVAILABLE FOR 2024

Wintermelon

Wintermelon - 83 days - Another keeping watermelon. Fruits are very similar to King Winter with the pale, greenish white skin color and pale pink flesh. While tasty and a super treat in mid-winter, they are very seedy. They need to be picked just prior to complete ripeness and carefully wiped off to remove surface fungi. Sometimes a mild bleach solution works well. Place them where they are not touching each other in a cool storage area where it is around 50 deg. F. When I was in drier Idaho, I could pick them in mid-October and still have nice melons in mid-February. There are more fungi and humidity here in Iowa, so I usually can’t get past early January from a mid-October picking. Pkt. $2.25 Certified Organic Seed

Wondermelon

Wondermelon- 93 days- Oblong, dark green, 25 to 40 pound melons, white seeded with pink red flesh. Planted in our least favorable isolation garden in 2016 we harvested over 40 fruits from 3 hills that each melon weighed from 30-45 pounds. Very thick rind suitable for pickles. Pkt. $1.50 1 oz. $6.00 Certified Organic Seed