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Watermelons are a quintessential summer delight. Their high water content will help refresh you on the most scorching summer days. Beyond their crisp texture, juicy flesh, and hydration properties, watermelons are fantastic fruits to plant in your garden or backyard. They come in different shapes and sizes with their own subtle flavor profile. Growing your own watermelon will let you reduce your reliance on commercially grown produce and start your own sustainable food practices. We've compiled a list of the best watermelon seeds, and our favorite is from the brand Sow Right Seeds. Their watermelon seeds are non-GMO and heirloom-trusted; they also have five different types of watermelon that you can grow!
Our Top Picks For Watermelon Seeds
The Best Watermelon Seeds
Best Overall
It can be hard to pick through the variety of seeds, which is why this seed package by Sow Right Seeds brings you a collection of five different varieties of watermelon. Featuring tasty varieties like Crimson Sweet, All sweet, Sugar Baby, Yellow Crimson, and Golden Midget you can grow a variety of colorful watermelons and get a different taste every day.
Since watermelon is a summer fruit, it is best to sow these seeds in hot climates. If you live in a cooler area, you may want to sow them into the ground early and prior to transferring them to a spot in your garden or backyard.
These seeds are our favorite because they are fleshy and juicy.
Pros
- You get a variety of watermelon seeds
- The watermelon seeds are easy to plant
Cons
- They require hot weather for proper cultivation
Best Color Contrast
While the primary purpose of watermelon seeds is to give you big, juicy watermelons, it doesn’t hurt when they bloom into beautiful plants that revive your garden’s look. These watermelon seeds by Burpee give you beautiful, bright plants that will take your breath away and have you sharing your crops on social media.
These watermelon seeds are straightforward to plant and grow. With each packet featuring 25 GMO-free seeds that you can divide among different pots, at the end of the harvest season you’ll get crisp, sweet watermelons that will be sure to be a favorite in your household.
Pros
- The variegation of the plant is admirable
- The seeds are GMO-free
Cons
- The watermelons may not be as sweet as expected
Highest Yield
Not everyone enjoys big, chunky watermelons. Therefore, if you’re looking for small, easy-to-handle watermelons these watermelon seeds by Gardener’s Basics should be the perfect choice for you. Recognized for being both GMO-free and heirloom, your watermelons will thrive in the summer months. And when it comes to size, these watermelons are packed with flavor that will be sure to be a real treat during a hot summer day.
Each packet is carefully packed in water-resistant paper so your seeds are not damaged. You will also find instructions on how to properly plant the seeds on each pack.
Pros
- They are GMO-free
- Great for smaller spaces
- Easy to plant and take care of
Cons
- Don’t have a high germination rate
Most Seeds Per Pack
If you’re someone who’s looking for more than just a gram of seeds to plant, then this bulk packet of watermelon seeds by Raw Earth Colors Plant. Grow. Love may just be your next best summertime bet! Each packet contains 200 premium Crimson Sweet watermelon seeds that will give you rosy and sweet watermelons. And since the packet is made of biodegradable compost packaging, you can rest assured that your purchase is eco-friendly.
Another plus? These seeds are also GMO-free!
Pros
- You get plenty of seeds
- You will get sweet, juicy watermelons
- The packet is made of biodegradable material
Cons
- Fruition takes longer than two months
Best Value
These non-GMO watermelon seeds by Seed and Plant come in an economical pack of 50 seeds that are enough to produce quite a few watermelons for the summer. These seeds mature in around 78 days, so you should plant them accordingly. Requiring partial or full exposure to the sun for proper growth, these seeds have an 85% rate of germination—which is quite good considering their price and quantity.
These seeds produce small, 10-pound watermelons that are sweet in taste. Their smaller nature also makes them a great candidate for gardens and backyards.
Pros
- Can fit into any fridge
- You get a good amount of seeds
- The watermelons are sweet and juicy
Cons
- The seeds may not always germinate
The Best Watermelon Seeds Buying Guide
Now that we’ve gone over some of the highest quality watermelon seeds out there, let’s take a look at how one must choose the right seeds for their garden and how to care for them. This buyer’s guide will help equip you with all the necessary information regarding watermelon seeds so you’ll be ready for the upcoming growing season.
What Kind of Soil and Climate Do Watermelon Seeds Prefer?
It is essential to know your soil and weather conditions before buying watermelon seeds. As you may already be aware, watermelon seeds require a particular type of soil and specific weather to grow properly. For example, the ideal weather condition for growing watermelons is in summer as they are a summer fruit. Also, since the optimal soil pH for growing watermelons is 5.5 and above it’s important for gardeners to measure their soil’s acidity prior to sowing.
How to Prepare Seeds for Sowing
One way to check whether your seeds are good for sowing or not is to put them in a bowl of water. Good seeds will sink down to the bottom of the bowl while the bad ones will float in the water. Once you have the good seeds, you can dry them and spread them along with the soil.
From here, you can just leave them in the soil to dry and germinate on their own.
How to Properly Plant Watermelon Seeds
It’s important to make sure your soil is suitable for growing before you sow the seeds. The soil should be rich, moist, and acidic. And when it comes to drainage, your soil should be loose enough to promote water absorption.
While you’ll find different ways to sow watermelon seeds, the best way is to follow the instructions on the pack of seeds. Once the seeds produce plants, you will have to irrigate the plant regularly as watermelons require a lot of water.
How to Choose the Best Watermelon Seeds
The first step in choosing the best watermelon seeds is to select a variety that’s suitable for your zone. If you’re not sure what zone you live in, you can easily look up a chart of your region. While minor at the surface, your zone will determine the success of your plant, as well as its side cultivators.
Once you have made note of your zone, you can proceed to pick your watermelon seeds. If you’re buying online, most modern online retailers will include the seed’s zone hardiness, as well as its preferred growing season.
People Also Asked
Are watermelons hard to grow?
While watermelons are not hard to grow, they can prove to be quite demanding and require proper attention to detail while cultivating. This means that you will have to get the right kind of seeds, invest in healthy soil and choose a spot that receives direct or medium sun exposure.
How can I harvest watermelons?
Your watermelons will be available for harvest after two to three months of sowing. To ensure your watermelons turn out sweet, it’s advised to stop watering the plant at least 10-14 days before harvest to enhance the fruit’s water content. Continuing to water your watermelons can lead to a bland fruit, and if you’re watering is on the excessive side you can even run the risk of bursting your watermelon.
When is the best time to plant watermelon seeds?
It is suggested to plant watermelon seeds in the spring season. Any longer than June will prove too hot for new and developing seedlings.
How can I tell if my watermelon is ripe enough to harvest?
While some swear by the infamous pat test, the easiest way to check the ripeness of your watermelon is to carefully roll it onto its underside. If the bottom is cream in color, it’s ready to pick. For stripped watermelon varieties, gardeners can also gauge this by the darkness between these markings.
