{"product_id":"florida-giant-watermelon-seeds","title":"Florida Giant Watermelon Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003eFlorida Giant Watermelon Seeds – Heirloom Open Pollinated – Huge 50 lb Sweet Red Melons\u003cbr\u003eCitrullus lanatus\u003cbr\u003eListing is for 1 packet of minimum 15 seeds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrow a true Southern classic with Florida Giant watermelon, one of the best round open-pollinated varieties ever developed. Introduced in the 1940s by seed expert Melville Dillon and named for his home state of Florida, this heirloom favorite produces nearly round melons that average 50 pounds and can reach an impressive 60–90 pounds under ideal conditions. The smooth, dark green rind is thick and tough, making it a good shipper and a reliable choice for home and market gardens, especially in warm Southern climates. Inside, you’ll find bright red flesh that is firm, juicy, and wonderfully sweet. Florida Giant matures in about 90 days and thrives in full sun with warm soil and plenty of space for vines to sprawl. For best results, provide consistent watering during fruit development and limit each vine to a few fruits to encourage larger melons. If you’re looking to grow a show-stopping, old-fashioned watermelon with classic flavor and impressive size, Florida Giant is a timeless garden favorite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal Growing Conditions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun: \u003c\/strong\u003eFull sun\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater: \u003c\/strong\u003eLet the soil dry out a little bit in-between watering\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eConsistent applications of fertilizer is important to promote lots of new, healthy, green growth to outpace the diseases and pests. Amend the soil with some organic granular fertilizer like \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none\" rel=\"noopener\" draggable=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/49qTkVt\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eEspoma Garden-Tone\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e before direct sowing the seeds. Or sprinkle some into the planting hole if using transplants. Apply 1\/4 cup of this fertilizer every 10-14 days to keep the nutrient supply consistent. I don't recommend using a synthetic fertilizer when fertilizing this frequently.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen \u0026amp; How To Sow Seeds: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eDirect sowing is preferred after your last spring frost date. In warmer climates can also direct sow at end of summer for a fall harvest. Sow 2-3 seeds in a mound, 1\/2 inch deep, spaced 2FT apart, in rows spaced 3FT apart. Can also sow seeds indoors in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg white-space-prewrap font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none\" rel=\"noopener\" draggable=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4sdr6VB\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e4 inch pots\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e, filled with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none\" rel=\"noopener\" draggable=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/44HHNyw\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eseed starting mix\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off\"\u003e, 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date to get an early start.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7-14 days\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays To Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 90 days after direct sowing the seed \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow \u0026amp; When To Harvest: \u003c\/strong\u003eWatermelon is ready to harvest when the underside resting on the ground turns from white to a creamy yellow, the rind looks dull rather than shiny, and the curly tendril closest to the fruit has dried up and turned brown. The melon should feel heavy for its size and sound hollow when tapped. To harvest, use clean garden shears or a sharp knife to cut the stem, leaving about 1–2 inches attached to the fruit. Avoid twisting or pulling the melon off the vine, as this can damage both the fruit and the plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Diseases:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eWatermelons get a lot of leaf diseases caused by pathogens like molds, fungus spores, bacteria etc... Spray with 1 cup of\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e3% hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water to clean and disinfect. Repeat every 5 days or so as a preventative, or until you notice the spread of the disease has stopped.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Pests:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003eCritters like rabbits love to munch on newly germinated seedlings, so protection from small animals might be required. If you notice the leaves are chewed up and there are small black, green, or orange balls, worms\/caterpillars are chewing up the plants. Spray with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4s7AZ7c\" draggable=\"false\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBT\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4pdnUXx\" draggable=\"false\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-underline text-strikethrough-none\" target=\"_blank\"\u003espinosad\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\"\u003e to treat for the worms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I have a YouTube video tutorial on how to grow this? \u003c\/strong\u003eNot yet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdditional Tips\/Information: \u003c\/strong\u003eN\/A\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jerrasgarden","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47975232602337,"sku":"MELON011","price":4.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0650\/4012\/2081\/files\/Floridagiantwatermelonseeds2.png?v=1771075464","url":"https:\/\/www.jerrasgarden.com\/products\/florida-giant-watermelon-seeds","provider":"Jerra's Garden","version":"1.0","type":"link"}