Germ
7-14 days
Depth
1-3 in
Spacing
8 ft
Row Spacing
8 ft
Sunlight
Full Sun
Planting Time
Spring
Harvest
70-110 days
Care instructions
Our favorite watermelon! We introduced this fine variety about 10 years ago after we were sent seed by Aziz Nail, an Iraqi gentleman who had collected this fantastic variety in Iraq. It is now nearly impossible to get seeds from this ancient country whose people have lost much of their genetic heritage in the long, bloody war. Now our corporate agriculture has been "kindly" suggested to native farmers who are losing thousands of years of plant breeding work. The 12-30 lb melons have hard light-green rinds that make them perfect for shipping and storage; the light color makes them resistant to sun burning. Plants are large, vigorous and give heavy yields of oblong fruit which do well in many
... more »Our favorite watermelon! We introduced this fine variety about 10 years ago after we were sent seed by Aziz Nail, an Iraqi gentleman who had collected this fantastic variety in Iraq. It is now nearly impossible to get seeds from this ancient country whose people have lost much of their genetic heritage in the long, bloody war. Now our corporate agriculture has been "kindly" suggested to native farmers who are losing thousands of years of plant breeding work. The 12-30 lb melons have hard light-green rinds that make them perfect for shipping and storage; the light color makes them resistant to sun burning. Plants are large, vigorous and give heavy yields of oblong fruit which do well in many conditions. The flavor is superb, being very sweet and luscious; and the texture is very crisp. This is a best seller and is a favorite of Dr. Amy Goldman and featured in her book "Melons for the Passionate Grower." Ali Baba has received much acclaim online "as the best tasting watermelon," and it will forever win a spot in any melon lover's heart.
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Sow the seed one-half inch deep outdoors after frost-season is over and soil is warm. Soil should be rich and well-amended with compost or manure. Sow the seed 12 inches apart, in rows 6 feet apart. They may be started indoors from seed no more than 2-3 weeks prior to setting-out date, and never let watermelon seedlings become root-bound in their pots. Watermelon is probably ripe when the light p
... more »Sow the seed one-half inch deep outdoors after frost-season is over and soil is warm. Soil should be rich and well-amended with compost or manure. Sow the seed 12 inches apart, in rows 6 feet apart. They may be started indoors from seed no more than 2-3 weeks prior to setting-out date, and never let watermelon seedlings become root-bound in their pots. Watermelon is probably ripe when the light patch on the underside has changed to pale yellow, and the tendril immediately opposite the stem from the fruit has withered.
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