How to Grow Blacktail Mountain Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus 'Blacktail Mountain'
Blacktail Mountain Watermelon is a compact, heirloom variety perfect for small gardens. Gardeners prize its sweet flavor and manageable size, making it an excellent choice for containers or limited spaces where traditional watermelons might struggle to thrive.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Blacktail Mountain Watermelon: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Blacktail Mountain Watermelon is not usually started indoors.
Do not transplant this plant; sow seeds directly into the garden soil after all danger of frost has passed and temperatures are consistently warm.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. As a warm-season crop, you must plant seeds directly outdoors only after the last frost when the ground has warmed up; do not start indoors as cold frames or greenhouses are unsuitable for this species. Sow seeds about one inch deep in full sun. Germination typically takes five to ten days under these warm conditions.
Space plants 36 to 48 inches apart to allow vines room to spread without overcrowding. While trellising is possible, the vigorous growth often makes ground cultivation easier for this variety. Provide one to two inches of water weekly, reducing frequency as fruit ripens. Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Watch for cucumber beetles, aphids, and squash vine borers; use row covers or insecticidal soap early in the season. Prevent anthracnose, fusarium wilt, and bacterial fruit blotch by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest the melons 70 to 75 days after sowing when they develop a deep green rind and lose their sheen.
When to Plant Blacktail Mountain Watermelon
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | June | July – September | October – August |
| Zone 2 | May – June | July – August | September |
| Zone 3 | May | June – August | September – October |
| Zone 4 | April – May | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | April | May – July | August – October |
| Zone 6 | April | May – July | August – September |
| Zone 7 | March – April | May – June | July – September |
| Zone 8 | March | April – June | July – August |
| Zone 9 | February | March – May | June – July |
| Zone 10 | January – February | March – April | May – July |
| Zone 11 | January | February – March | April – June |
| Zone 12 | January | February – March | April – June |
| Zone 13 | January | February – March | April – June |
Companion Plants for Blacktail Mountain Watermelon
✓ Good companions
Fix nitrogen in soil to benefit heavy-feeding watermelons
Repels ants, aphids, and cucumber beetles more effectively than DEET
Provides vertical structure and shade, traditional Three Sisters companion
Repel nematodes and cucumber beetles with their strong scent
Trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, repels aphids
Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Deter cucumber beetles and squash vine borers, mature quickly without competing
Attract beneficial insects and provide windbreak protection
✗ Keep away from
Allelopathic compounds inhibit germination and growth of melons
May stunt melon growth and both crops attract similar harmful insects
Compete for similar nutrients and space, both susceptible to similar fungal diseases
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
