
23/08/2025
Who likes watermelon? Me, me me!
It's watermelon season and my friends Randy and Nadia at Harness Homestead in Unicoi Tennessee are in the middle of their harvest and have asked me to share a few watermelon gardening tips with you. Randy prefers Crimson Sweet Watermelon over other varieties he has tried mainly for... it's sweetness.
Though Randy will credit me for sending him the seed, it's really his knowledge and diligence that has produced a high-quality product along with the fresh certified seed.
Watermelons are not only delicious, but also have many health benefits such as, significantly increasing body hydration, reducing blood pressure, increasing blood flow, aids in digestion from the fiber, helps ease sore muscles after exercise, and promotes health in eyes and skin. When purchasing a watermelon, look for yellowing on the underside of the fruit, and a dull not glossy skin. Only refrigerate watermelon after cutting it because refrigerating them whole will stop them from ripening resulting in a less sweet melon.
When growing watermelons plant seed right after frost and make sure you have plenty of room. They prefer well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Melons like sun for at least 80 days and fertilizer heavy in phosphorus and potassium (the last 2 numbers.) Water deep 1-2 inches a week and reduce water as they ripen to increase the flavor. Randy has shared with me to not pick your melons right after a heavy rain or watering, the excess water will dilute the sugars in the melon, if it does rain, you must wait 3 days to pick them, and did you know that bees are responsible for pollination? Even more reason to provide for and protect the bees that are vital to growing our food.
So, if your fortunate enough to live near Harness Homestead in Unicoi Tennessee, stop by and buy a delicious watermelon!