Seedless Watermelon Seeds

Water a sterile seed starting mix and allow it to dry for 24-48 hours before seeding. Seeds need a soil temperature of at least 90°F for germination, so make sure media is heated before planting and maintains a 90°F temperature for 48-72 hours after seeding, or until germination begins. This soil temperature may be achieved in a germination room or by using our high-temperature heat mat. After germination begins, reduce soil temperature to 80°F and water only as needed for the first week. DO NOT OVER WATER! Once the seedlings are established, temperature and watering may be adjusted to achieve sturdy plants.

You will need to purchase a pollinator for use with the seedless varieties. We highly recommend that you use Side Kick or Accomplice for this purpose, as they flower early and continuously throughout the pollination period. To ensure proper pollination it is recommended that you plant one pollinator for every three seedless plants. Plant in the row with the seedless variety. Tests indicate that bees will tend to work up and down the row, rather than from one row to the next. Planting in this way will help to improve pollination, thus increasing yield potential. Please note: The use of bees, plastic mulch and drip irrigation are highly recommended. Seedless melons grown under stress will produce hard, dark-colored seeds.

Although we think of watermelons as a Southern crop, they grow as easily as cantaloupe in the North, offer more consistent quality, and are increasingly sought out by consumers. It is critical to start seedless melons as transplants at high soil temperatures, as described here. Harris Seeds’ new high temperature heat mat can be a valuable tool, but some growers contract with a professional seedling grower to ensure consistent results. Most Northeastern growers raise seedless watermelons using plastic mulch, raised beds, and drip irrigation. IRT green plastic mulches (like Harris Seeds’ SRM Olive Mulch) are very beneficial in cooler or shorter growing seasons. Since watermelons are tropical plants, it’s best to transplant them after weather is warm, not just frost-free. Don’t forget bees; one hive per acre is the recommended minimum. Bee activity is adequate when one bee is present for every 100 blossoms between 6:00 and 10:00 am.

Harris Moran’s seedless watermelon program has produced vigorous varieties like Millionaire, Millenium, Troubador, and Gypsy that perform well in a less-than-ideal climates. In particular, Vagabond and Crunchy Red offer outstanding quality. They have the high level of sweetness that consumers expect, along with a crunchy texture.