Organic Watermelon Black Tail Mountain is an early-maturing, compact vine variety, grown from certified organic seed, producing medium-sized fruit with deep crimson flesh and a remarkably sweet flavour that belies its shorter time to harvest.
What makes this variety particularly valuable for New Zealand gardeners is that it was developed specifically for cooler climates. It ripens faster than most watermelon varieties, which makes it genuinely well suited to New Zealand's shorter warm seasons, where many larger, slower-maturing watermelons can struggle to fully ripen before the weather turns.
Its compact vine habit is another practical advantage, taking up less space than the sprawling giants some watermelon varieties produce, while still delivering that classic deep crimson, sweet flesh gardeners grow watermelon for in the first place. This makes Black Tail Mountain a sensible option for gardens with only moderate space to dedicate to a summer vine crop.
Being certified organic also suits gardeners who want to grow their own watermelon from seed with no synthetic inputs, right from the very start of the growing process.
Sowing and Growing Organic Watermelon Black Tail Mountain
Sow indoors or under cover from September to November, maintaining a temperature of 20-30°C for germination, which typically takes 5-10 days. Once frosts have passed and seedlings are established, transplant into a warm, sunny position with fertile, well-drained soil, spacing plants 100cm apart within the row and 200cm between rows.Harvesting Organic Watermelon Black Tail Mountain
Fruit is ready 80-100 days from transplanting, notably early for a watermelon. Judge ripeness by the dulling of the skin's sheen, a hollow sound when tapped, and the tendril nearest the fruit turning brown and dry.
nce frosts have passed and seedlings are established, transplant into a warm, sunny position with fertile, well-drained soil, spacing plants 100cm apart within the row and 200cm between rows.Harvesting Organic Watermelon Black Tail Mountain
Fruit is ready 80-100 days from transplanting, notably early for a watermelon. Judge ripeness by the dulling of the skin's sheen, a hollow sound when tapped, and the tendril nearest the fruit turning brown and dry.
20 x seeds