Chelsea Watermelon
Heirloom
- Organic
- Round fruits grow to 15-20 pounds
- Pink flesh with white seeds
- Sweet and keeps well once picked
This variety will grow well in most regions of the United States.
Item Details
In the early 1900s Chelsea, Iowa was famous for melons grown on the sandy hills north of town. Farmers would fill their horse-drawn “triple box” wagons in the field, haul them to town, and sell the melons right from the wagons. Today SSE member Marvin Kucera is the only person growing this watermelon in Chelsea. Sweet, pink-fleshed, 15-20 pound fruits with white seeds will keep for several weeks once picked. 80-90 days.
Learn to Grow Chelsea Watermelon
Direct Seed: 1/2" Deep
Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds
Thin: To 3-4 Plants
Light: Full Sun
Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Space hills 8' apart in all directions. Seeds will germinate in 4-10 days. Can also be started indoors 4 weeks before transplanting out. Watermelons love heat and prefer sandy or light-textured soils.
Ratings & Reviews
2 reviews
Top Melon for Midwest
by Caryn
Grows in both cooler soils and in heavier soils than other melons - does well in Iowa midwest. Has a very good old-fashioned watermelon flavor, and the extra large seeds don't slow you down at all when eating because they are actually easier to remove. The only challenge found so far is the melons don't like to sit on the vine too long when they are ripe. Overall excellent heirloom variety!
Worth planting for sure
by Mike Townsley
I grew these again in 2021. I harvested several good tasting melons. I will plant again in 2021. My field was really dry, I should of mulched but I still got several melons. I am south of I 80 in Iowa. I agree with the other reviewer, the seeds are easy to find and remove. Great flavor.