Watermelon Early Canada Improved – McKenzie Seeds

Citrullus lanatus

• Heirloom
• Sweet and juicy fresh
• 5 to 7 days to germinate
• 80 days to maturity
• Perfect choice of watermelon for smaller gardens.
• Eat fresh or make small watermelonballs to use in fruit salad.
• Companion Planting: Corn, radish

Early Canada Improved is a Greybelle watermelon that produces nearly round fruits that can reach up to 6.5kg (15 lbs.). The rind is grey-green with darker veins encasing a sweet and delicious dark pink flesh. High yields make it perfect for home gardeners as well as market growers.

2.5g. (Approx. 20-25 seeds)

INSTRUCTIONS

Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Take care not to disturb roots when transplanting. Or, sow a few seeds over a hill 9 to 12 inches tall and 2 feet across. When the plants are 3 inches tall, thin by cutting to 3 plants per hill. Use a balanced fertilizer to increase yield.

Planting Depth:2.5 cm (1″)

PlantingSpacing:3 per hill

Row Spacing:1.5-1.8 m (5-6′)

Best when planted in a rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Transplants should only go into the garden once soil is completely warmed. Plants will do better if there is some shelter from winds.

Sow seeds 2.5 cm (1) deep and sow 5-6 seeds per hill or 5 cm (2) apart. Plants should be spaced/thinned to 2-3 plants per hill or 15 cm (6) apart. Rows should be spaced 1.5-1.8 m (5-6) apart.

Seeds germinate in approximately 5-7 days.

Adequate moisture is essential during the growth of the plant and during pollination while fruits are setting. After this, water only when soil becomes dry as high rainfall or excessive irrigation as the melons near maturity will adversely affect fruit flavor.

Water around the base of the plant and be careful to avoid splashing dirt onto the leaves which can transfer diseases from the soil to the plants.

To improve the chances of having nice sweet matured fruit by the end of the season, it can be helpful to limit the number of fruits on each plant (by removing blossoms) after you have 3-4 watermelons forming which will allow the plant put all its energy into those remaining fruits.

Companion Planting: Corn, radish

Harvesting and Storage

Watermelons that are allowed to ripen on the vine have the best flavor so if possible protect plants from light frosts.

Check under the melon if it has a yellow or light colored bottom, it should be ripe. If its stripes are found all around the melon its just not ready yet.

If you have a good ear, tap on the watermelon: if it sounds hollow, its ripe. Not hollow, unripe.