Watermelon

Basic Information

Seed Number

88

Seed Name

Watermelon

Variety

Moons & Stars

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

3–10 days

Harvest/Maturity

90 days

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

70-90°F

Planting Depth

1 in

Plant Spacing

36-48 in

Row Spacing

6-8 ft

Thin-To Spacing

36-48 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

1-2 in/week during vigorous growth and fruit set; reduce excessive irrigation as fruits near maturity

Soil Preference

Warm, fertile, well-drained sandy loam rich in organic matter; approximately pH 6.0-6.8

Minimum Container Size

10+ gal; best in ground

Plant Height

Long trailing vine

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

No

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

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: Moon and Stars is a large-fruited, approximately 90-day watermelon. Starting indoors 3-4 weeks before warm-weather transplanting can improve success in Southeast Michigan.
Germination: Start indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost or direct sow only after soil reaches approximately 70°F. Avoid root disturbance.
Harvest: Fruit can reach approximately 25-40 pounds. Check for a dried tendril nearest the fruit, a creamy ground spot and mature rind appearance before harvest.
Seed Saving: Moon and Stars is an heirloom open-pollinated watermelon. Isolate from other Citrullus lanatus varieties or hand-pollinate for true seed.
Special Care: Requires substantial ground space because both vines and fruit are large. The distinctive dark-green rind develops yellow star-like speckles and larger moon-like spots.
Research Source: San Diego Seed Company — https://sandiegoseedcompany.com/product/fruit/melons/watermelon/organic-moon-and-stars-watermelon-seeds/ — 90-day maturity, 3-10 day germination, up-to-40-pound fruit and full sun
Research Source: Cornell University — https://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scenedc02.html — Moon and Stars as a recommended watermelon variety
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/watermelon-moon-and-stars — 25-40 pound fruit, rind pattern and container unsuitability
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]