Watermelon
Seed # 85
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 85
- Seed Name
- Watermelon
- Variety
- Sweet Siberian
- Category
- Vegetable
- Plant Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- Plant Type
- Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow or Transplant
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Apr 14
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Jun 15
- Plantable Months
- April, May, June
- Indoor Start
- Apr 14 – Apr 28
- Direct Sow
- May 19 – Jun 15
- Transplant
- May 19 – Jun 15
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- 3 weeks
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- 2 weeks
- Germination Days
- 4–10 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- 80–85 days
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 70-90°F
- Planting Depth
- 1/2-1 in
- Plant Spacing
- 18-36 in
- Row Spacing
- 6-8 ft
- Thin-To Spacing
- 18-36 in
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun
- Water Needs
- 1-2 in/week during vine growth and fruit set; reduce excessive irrigation as fruits approach ripeness
- Soil Preference
- Warm, fertile, well-drained sandy loam rich in organic matter; approximately pH 6.0-6.8
- Minimum Container Size
- 15-20 gal with room for vines
- Plant Height
- 10-20 in; long trailing vines
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Annual
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- No
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corn | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Corn | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Corn | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Corn | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Corn | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Marigold | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Marigold | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Marigold | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Marigold | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Nasturtiums | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Nasturtiums | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Sunflower | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Sunflower | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Sunflower | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Sunflower | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Sunflower | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Sunflower | Good Companion | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Direct sow after soil warms or start indoors
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 25 – Jun 20
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 75–100 days
Container Friendly: Possible, 10+ gal; best in ground
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary
Succession / Reusable Notes: Choose short-season varieties in Zone 6B. Later sowing is risky.
Zone 6B Notes: Needs heat, space, and consistent watering.
Companion Plants: Corn, sunflowers, nasturtiums, marigolds, radish, herbs nearby for pollinators
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Potatoes, crowded beds
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Sweet Siberian is an early watermelon well suited to shorter northern growing seasons. Direct sow or transplant after soil reaches at least 70°F and frost danger is over.
Germination: Warm soil is critical. Seed germinates in approximately 4-10 days under favorable conditions. If transplanting, use biodegradable or individual pots and disturb roots as little as possible.
Harvest: Fruits typically weigh about 5-10 pounds and develop distinctive apricot-colored flesh. Harvest when the tendril nearest the fruit dries, the ground spot becomes creamy and other maturity indicators are present.
Seed Saving: Sweet Siberian is open-pollinated. Watermelons cross with other Citrullus lanatus varieties, so isolation or controlled pollination is required for true-to-type seed.
Special Care: Despite the supplied seed name 'Melon,' Sweet Siberian is botanically a watermelon rather than a muskmelon. It is especially useful in shorter-season northern gardens.
Research Source: Urban Farmer — https://www.ufseeds.com/product/sweet-siberian-watermelon-seeds/WASS.html — 83-day maturity, botanical identity, 8-10 pound fruit, apricot flesh, spacing, sowing depth and warm-soil planting
Research Source: Annie's Heirloom Seeds — https://anniesheirloomseeds.com/products/sweet-siberian-watermelon-citrullus-lanatus — 5-10 day germination, 80-85 day maturity, planting depth and spacing
Research Source: Seed Savers Exchange — https://shop.seedsavers.org/sweet-siberian-organic-watermelon — 4-10 day germination, sowing depth and full-sun culture
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]