(Citrullus lanatus) I don’t think I ever would have guessed, with all our beans and corns, our many species of flowers with their intricate seed designs and adaptations, that perhaps the most beautiful seed in our collection would come from ... a watermelon. This Turkish variety, whose name translates roughly as “hand-carved,” was sent to us by Mehmet Öztan, who named the variety and introduced it in the US. His seed company ‘Two Seeds in a Pod’ specializes in Turkish heritage varieties and is full of rare treasures like this. The seeds start primarily black with a subtle design of white cracking that gets more and more pronounced as it dries. After posting a picture on social media, we heard from a grower in Extremadura in Western Spain who stewards similar landrace watermelons with this type of seed (both yellow and red flesh), and we’ve heard there might be a similar Japanese variety. Mehmet’s was collected in Izmir in westernmost Anatolia, but its specific Turkish place of origin is not known. While the seed may be the star, the fruit is certainly a very worthy co-star, with wonderfully sweet pink-red flesh, excellent texture, and a convenient 3-4# icebox size. But, with this degree of botanical seed splendor, it feels almost irrelevant that it came from a delicious watermelon. It stands entirely on its exquisite beauty, not just one of potential. And if I ever needed another reason to rant against the joylessness of seedless watermelons (which believe me, I don’t) well...here you go.
85-90 days. UO

Packet: 15 seeds

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Sow indoors 3-4 weeks before your last frost date. Keep soil moist before emergence, growing at 80-90F, reducing to 75F.

Transplant out 2-3 weeks after your last frost date when the soil has sufficiently warmed.

Direct sow after 2-3 weeks after the last frost when soil is 70F+.

Note: Provide ample and even water when transplanting, and take care not to disturb roots.

PLANTING DEPTH:

1/2"

SPACING:

18-24" spacing in rows 5' apart.

EMERGENCE:

5-10 days @ soil temp 75-85F

LIGHT:

Full sun

FERTILITY:

Medium. Prefers well-drained, evenly moist, and well-balanced fertile soil with a pH of 6.5-7. Avoid the addition of excess Nitrogen to the soil. Phosphorus and potassium are key for a healthy fruit set.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Be gentle while transplanting to keep the root system undisturbed.

Consistent warmth and water are essential.

Row cover may be used for extra warmth and possibly earlier fruit set. Remove as plants begin to flower.

Keep transplants through fruit set well-watered. Cut back water a week or so before ripe to avoid bland-tasting fruit.

Watermelon, 'Ҫekirdeği Oyali'