Citrullus lanatus 'Jubilee'
fruitJubilee is the iconic Florida picnic watermelon, released by the University of Florida in 1963 and once the dominant commercial watermelon of the American South. Long oblong fruits weigh 25 to 40 lb with light green rind boldly striped in dark green and bright sweet red flesh. The tough rind ships well and the vines tolerate the disease pressure of humid Southern summers, making it a reliable home-garden choice.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 3 days
Harvest
~95 days
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
Spacing
36 in. apart in hills
Planting Depth
Seed 1 in. deep
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 11
Grown as an annual. This range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
At planting, at vining, and at fruit set
Fertilizer
10-10-10 pre-plant; lower N during fruit set
Jubilee needs a long warm season. Direct sow after the soil is 70F or start indoors 2 to 3 weeks before transplanting in peat or paper pots to avoid root disturbance. Plant in hills, 4 to 5 seeds per hill at 1 inch deep, then thin to the strongest 2 or 3 plants. Allow plenty of room since vines easily run 10 ft or more; space hills 3 ft apart in rows 6 to 8 ft apart. Mulch heavily, water deeply but reduce as fruits ripen to concentrate sugar, and side-dress with balanced fertilizer at vining.
Start seeds indoors
Mar 25
Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
Projected first harvest
Aug 2
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Row-cover transplants until flowering; striped cucumber beetles vector bacterial wilt that kills vines mid-summer
Scout leaf undersides for bronze egg clusters and crush; trap adults under boards on the soil
Hose off colonies, plant alyssum for hoverflies, and avoid excess nitrogen
Rotate watermelons on a 3 to 4 year cycle and choose resistant varieties on infected ground
Jubilee ripens about 95 days from transplant. Pick when the curly tendril nearest the fruit has dried, the ground spot has turned creamy yellow, and a thump sounds deep and dull. Cut the stem with shears leaving an inch attached. Hold whole melons a week at room temperature or up to two weeks in a cool spot; refrigerate only after cutting.
Watermelon is exceptionally high in lycopene - 4.5 mg per 100 g, more than fresh tomato - and a 2-cup wedge supplies about 25 percent of the daily value of vitamin C plus useful potassium and vitamin A. It is 92 percent water, making it one of the most hydrating fruits to eat on a hot day at about 46 calories per cup.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.