Watermelon Seeds - Congo HEIRLOOM - AAS WINNER
- Long, Dark Green Striped Oblong Shaped
- Firm and Sweet Flesh has a Sugar Content of 9.4%
- Prefers Full Sun Exposure and Warm Weather
Shipping Schedule
Seeds are shipped year-round, while perennials & bulbs are shipped seasonally. Pre-ordered bulbs ship at the proper planting time for your zone. Spring pre-orders are placed any time before March 1. Fall pre-orders are placed any time before September 1. These items will not ship immediately, but will be delivered at the ideal time for planting. Orders containing both seeds and bulbs may be split into multiple shipments. Click here for more shipping information.
| Pre-Ordered Spring Bulbs & Perennials | Shipping Begins |
|---|---|
| Zones 9 - 12 | Late February to Early March |
| Zone 8 | Early to Mid March |
| Zone 7 | Mid to Late March |
| Zone 6 | Early April |
| Zone 5 | Late April |
| Zones 2 - 4 | Late April to Early May |
| In-season orders ship immediately at the time of purchase to all zones until inventory is depleted. | |
| Saffron Crocus & Bearded Iris | Shipping Begins |
| All Zones | Late August |
| Pre-Ordered Fall Bulbs | Shipping Begins |
| Zones 2 - 5 | Mid to Late September |
| Zone 6 | Late September |
| Zone 7 | Late September to Early October |
| Zones 8 - 12 | Early to Mid October |
| In-season orders ship immediately at the time of purchase to all zones until inventory is depleted. | |
| Pre-Ordered Fall Perennials* | Shipping Begins |
| All Zones | Mid October |
| *Amaryllis Bulbs, Hosta Roots, Lily Bulbs, Papaver Roots, Paperwhite Bulbs, Peony Roots & Siberian Iris Roots | |
Product Description
The Congo is an extra sweet, gorgeous heirloom watermelon, and delicious one to boot! These luscious watermelons regularly grow to 50 Pounds and above! Congo was an All-America selection winner in 1950.
Watermelons grow best in warm weather and sandy soils. Make sure their trailing vines have plenty of space and let your melons enjoy the warm summer sun for delicious, sweet harvests!
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Fast Facts
Name: Watermelon Seeds - Congo Botanical Name: Citrullus lanatus Life Cycle: Annual Light Requirement: Full Sun Planting Season: Warm Season Plant Type: Long vine Features: Heirloom, AAS (All-American Selections) Winners Fruit Size: 30+ lbs Days to Maturity: 60-90 Days Plant Spacing: 36-48 inches Planting Depth: 1 inch Sowing Method: Start Indoors, Direct Sow Cold Stratification: No Hardiness Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Ships: Year Round -
Planting Instructions
How to Grow Congo Watermelon
When to Plant Watermelon Seeds
If you live in a climate with a short growing season, consider starting your watermelon seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting seedlings into the garden. Sow watermelon seed directly, or set out your transplants 3 to 4 weeks after the last average frost date in spring. Watermelon demands warm temperatures – both soil and air. Transplant or direct sow watermelon seeds only when the average soil and daytime air temps are at least 70F.
Where to Plant Watermelon Seeds
Watermelons are heavy feeders and need soil rich in nutrients. They grow best in loose, well-drained, but moisture-retentive soil rich in organic matter. Amend your soil with aged manure, seaweed, and/or compost before planting.
How to Plant Watermelon Seeds
Dig a hole 12" deep and 24" wide, fill with compost, manure, and several handfuls of sand. Use the soil that was removed from the hole to create the mound and then sow your seed or transplant there. Sow watermelon seeds 1" deep, planting 4-6 seeds (or transplanting 2-3 of your strongest seedlings) in mounds that stretch 24" across, If direct sowing, wait until seedlings have developed 3-4 true leaves and choose your strongest 2-3 plants by cutting the thinned out seedlings at soil level with scissors. Build mounds 5-10' apart.
How to Harvest Watermelon
Stop watering your watermelons about 10-14 days before the fruits are ready to harvest, this will concentrate the plant’s sugars and your watermelon will be sweeter. You may want to place a board under each melon to keep the fruit clean and dry. Watermelons will be ready to harvest after 70-90 days from sowing.
Other tips (if any): Companion plants are corn, radish, beans, nasturtiums, marigolds and oregano. Bad companions are potatoes as they attract many of the same insects that feed on watermelon plants.
Avoid growing watermelon where night temperatures dip below 50 F; this will cause fruit to lose flavor. If temperatures exceed 90F for several days, flowers will drop without setting fruit. Watermelons require 70-90 frost-free days to reach harvest and will tolerate no frost. A soaker hose or drip irrigation is the best way to water. If you live in an area where the weather and soil are dry, try planting your watermelon in inverted hills rather than mounds. Regular, even watering will help fruits avoid blossom-end rot which is caused by fluctuation of soil moisture.
Product Reviews
Review
waiting for warmer weather
i will be waiting for spring time in my area, for now i will store in the fridge in a sandwich bag, then a few weeks before spring i will plant indoors till last frost, then sow in garden
Review
watermelon seeds
High and quick germination rate vines growing all over lots of blooms which I hope turns into lots of big sweet melons
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Watermelon Seeds - Congo HEIRLOOM - AAS WINNER
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