Citrullus lanatus 'Moon and Stars'
fruitMoon and Stars is a classic American heirloom watermelon, sold in seed catalogs by the early 1900s and then nearly lost, until Missouri farmer Merle Van Doren shared his saved seed with the Seed Savers Exchange around 1980 and revived it. Round to oblong 10 to 25 lb fruits have a deep green rind speckled with yellow polka dots - big moons and tiny stars - and even the foliage is mottled. Inside is fine-textured, sweet, juicy red flesh with classic old-fashioned watermelon flavor.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 3 days
Harvest
~90 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
Spacing
24-36 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
Watermelons need heat. Direct sow once soil is at least 70F or start indoors 2 to 3 weeks before transplanting (sets resent root disturbance, so use peat or paper pots). Plant in hills, 4 to 5 seeds per hill at 1 inch deep, then thin to the strongest 2 or 3 plants. Space hills 2 to 3 ft apart in rows 6 to 8 ft apart. Black plastic mulch and drip irrigation push yields significantly in northern gardens. Side-dress with a balanced fertilizer when vines start to run, then again when fruits set.
Start seeds indoors
Mar 25
Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
Projected first harvest
Jul 28
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
Cover transplants with floating row cover until flowering, then remove for pollination; striped beetles also vector bacterial wilt
Inspect leaf undersides for copper-colored egg clusters and crush them; trap adults under boards laid on the soil
Plant alyssum nearby for hoverflies, support ladybugs, and hose off heavy clusters
Give plants airflow with proper spacing, water at the base in the morning, and remove the lowest leaves
A Moon and Stars is ripe when three things line up: the tendril nearest the fruit dries and turns brown, the ground spot fades from white to creamy yellow, and a thump sounds dull and deep rather than ringing. Cut the stem with shears, leaving an inch attached. The fruits hold a week at room temperature, longer in a cool cellar.
Watermelon is about 92 percent water but is the richest fresh source of lycopene of any common fruit or vegetable - around 4.5 mg per 100 g - more concentrated than fresh tomato. A 2-cup serving delivers about 25 percent of the daily value of vitamin C and meaningful amounts of vitamin A as beta-carotene and potassium, all for about 90 calories.
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.