Grown Blacktail Mountain Watermelon?

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Blacktail Mountain Watermelon — Melons

70-75days to harvest

5-10days to germinate

Z3–8USDA zones

Easydifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow when soil reaches 65°F or start indoors 2-3 weeks before last frost. Plant seeds 1 inch deep.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1-2 inches per week, reduce as fruit ripens
Soil: Well-drained sandy loam, tolerates various soil types
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
Spacing: 36-48 inches
Height: 4-8 inches
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Dark green skin with red flesh and black seeds
Size: 8-10 inches long, 6-12 pounds
Shape: Oval to round
Flavour: Sweet and juicy with excellent watermelon flavor

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, fruit salads, juice, preserves

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Cucumber beetles, aphids, squash vine borers
Diseases: Anthracnose, fusarium wilt, bacterial fruit blotch
Resistance: Good cold tolerance, moderate disease resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	May – June	July	July – August	September
3	May	June – July	June – August	September – October
4	April – May	June	June – July	September – October
5	April	May – June	May – July	August – October
6	April	May – June	May – July	August – September
7	March – April	May	May – June	July – September
8	March	April – May	April – June	July – August
9	February	March – April	March – May	June – July
10	January – February	March	March – April	May – July
11	January	February	February – March	April – June
12	January	February	February – March	April – June
13	January	February	February – March	April – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

NasturtiumsTrap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, repels aphids

MarigoldsRepel nematodes and cucumber beetles with their strong scent

RadishesDeter cucumber beetles and squash vine borers, mature quickly without competing

BeansFix nitrogen in soil to benefit heavy-feeding watermelons

CatnipRepels ants, aphids, and cucumber beetles more effectively than DEET

OreganoRepels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

CornProvides vertical structure and shade, traditional Three Sisters companion

SunflowersAttract beneficial insects and provide windbreak protection

Avoid

FennelAllelopathic compounds inhibit germination and growth of melons

TomatoesCompete for similar nutrients and space, both susceptible to similar fungal diseases

PotatoesMay stunt melon growth and both crops attract similar harmful insects

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 30
Protein (g): 0.61
Fat (g): 0.15
Carbohydrate (g): 7.55
Fibre (g): 0.4
Sugars (g): 6.2
Vitamin A (µg): 28
Vitamin C (mg): 8.1
Vitamin E (mg): 0.05
Vitamin K (µg): 0.1
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.045
Folate (µg): 3
Calcium (mg): 7
Iron (mg): 0.24
Magnesium (mg): 10
Phosphorus (mg): 11
Potassium (mg): 112
Zinc (mg): 0.1
Selenium (µg): 0.4

← PreviousMinnesota Midget Cantaloupe Next →Galia Melon

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the melons growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Blacktail Mountain Watermelon?

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