Crimson Sweet Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus
Dark and light yellow-green striped, 10" x 12" blocky oval fruits weigh in at 15-25 lb. Crisp, sweet pink flesh and vigorous vines. Avg. 1-2 fruits/plant.
Harvest
85d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
3–11
USDA hardiness
Height
4-8 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Crimson Sweet Watermelon in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 melon →Zone Map
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Crimson Sweet Watermelon · Zones 3–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May – May | June – July | June – August | September – October |
| Zone 4 | April – May | June – June | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | April – April | May – June | May – July | September – October |
| Zone 6 | April – April | May – June | May – July | August – October |
| Zone 7 | March – April | May – May | May – June | August – September |
| Zone 8 | March – March | April – May | April – June | July – September |
| Zone 9 | February – February | March – April | March – May | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – February | March – March | March – April | June – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: #yellow flowers#showy fruits#vegetable garden#edible fruits#edible garden#fruits summer#vine#warm season vegetable#edible#annual#early childhood#child#children#preschool#early care#easy edibles#hortcontest. Soil: Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: SIT-troo-lus la-NAY-tus. Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.. Spread: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The plant produces melons which are large modified berries called a pepo. They are rounded to oval mottled green with darker green rind. Black, cream or mottled colored elliptic seeds. Flesh general red or pink but can also be yellowish.
Color: Green. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: The fruit can be eaten raw or pickled. The rind is edible after cooking.
Storage & Preservation
Whole Crimson Sweet watermelons store best at room temperature (70-75°F) for up to one week, developing peak sweetness during the first few days after harvest. Once cut, refrigerate pieces in airtight containers for 3-5 days maximum.
For longer preservation, cube the flesh and freeze in single layers on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags—frozen watermelon works excellently in smoothies and agua frescas for up to 8 months. The sweet flesh also makes outstanding watermelon juice that freezes well in ice cube trays for year-round enjoyment.
Don't overlook the rinds, which pickle beautifully using traditional cucumber pickle recipes. The thick, white rind portion creates crisp, refreshing pickles that store in the refrigerator for several months. Dehydrated watermelon creates an intensely sweet, chewy treat, though yields are low due to the fruit's high water content.
History & Origin
Crimson Sweet was developed in the 1960s by Dr. C.F. Andrus at the USDA Agricultural Research Station in Charleston, South Carolina, through careful selective breeding aimed at creating the ideal home garden watermelon. Dr. Andrus sought to combine the exceptional sweetness and flavor of older heirloom varieties with improved disease resistance and more manageable fruit size for family consumption.
Released commercially in 1963, Crimson Sweet quickly gained popularity among both home gardeners and small-scale farmers for its reliability and consistent performance across diverse growing conditions. The variety represented a breakthrough in watermelon breeding by successfully balancing multiple desirable traits without sacrificing the superior taste that made heirloom varieties beloved.
Over the past 60 years, Crimson Sweet has maintained its reputation as the benchmark against which other watermelon varieties are measured. Its enduring popularity stems from Dr. Andrus's vision of creating a variety that could deliver restaurant-quality flavor in backyard gardens, democratizing access to truly exceptional watermelons for home growers nationwide.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees
- +Edible: The fruit can be eaten raw or pickled. The rind is edible after cooking.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Marigolds
Deter nematodes and cucumber beetles with their strong scent
Bush Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil and don't compete for space with sprawling vines
Corn
Provides vertical structure and wind protection without root competition
Catnip
Repels ants, aphids, and cucumber beetles while attracting beneficial insects
Oregano
Deters pests and may enhance watermelon flavor through aromatic compounds
Lettuce
Acts as living mulch, conserves soil moisture, and matures before watermelons spread
Nasturtiums
Trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, repels aphids
Radishes
Break up compacted soil and deter cucumber beetles and squash vine borers
Keep Apart
Fennel
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth and development of watermelon plants
Tomatoes
Both heavy feeders competing for nutrients, increased disease risk from shared pathogens
Sunflowers
Allelopathic compounds suppress watermelon growth and compete heavily for nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167765)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent resistance to anthracnose and fusarium wilt
Common Pests
Cucumber beetles, squash vine borers, aphids, thrips
Diseases
Powdery mildew, bacterial fruit blotch, gummy stem blight