Watermelon Picnic
Citrullus lanatus 'Picnic'
A classic large watermelon variety that produces the traditional big, round melons perfect for family gatherings and summer picnics. These impressive fruits can reach 15-20 pounds with deep red, sweet flesh and the classic striped green rind that everyone recognizes. The vigorous vines are productive and reliable, delivering that perfect summer watermelon experience.
Harvest
85-95d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Height
4-8 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Watermelon Picnic in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 melon →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Watermelon Picnic · Zones 4–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May – May | June – July | June – August | October – 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 | September – October |
| Zone 7 | March – April | May – May | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 8 | March – March | April – May | April – June | August – September |
| Zone 9 | February – February | March – April | March – May | July – August |
| Zone 10 | January – February | March – March | March – April | June – August |
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
Store whole Watermelon Picnic melons at room temperature for up to one week, as cold temperatures below 50°F can cause chilling injury and loss of flavor. Once cut, refrigerate pieces in airtight containers for 3-5 days maximum. For longer preservation, cube the flesh and freeze in single layers on parchment-lined trays before transferring to freezer bags—frozen watermelon works excellently for smoothies and agua fresca.
The thick rinds are perfect for pickled watermelon rind preserves, a traditional Southern delicacy that extends your harvest enjoyment. Dehydrate cubed flesh at 135°F for 8-12 hours to create concentrated watermelon leather, or juice the flesh and freeze in ice cube trays for convenient smoothie additions. Properly stored whole melons can last 2-3 weeks in cool, dry conditions with good air circulation.
History & Origin
Watermelon Picnic represents the modern hybrid approach to capturing the nostalgic appeal of traditional American watermelons. Developed in the late 20th century by commercial seed companies, this variety was specifically bred to recreate the classic 'icebox-buster' watermelons that were staples of American summer gatherings from the 1920s through 1960s.
The variety combines the visual appeal and impressive size of heritage watermelons like 'Black Diamond' and 'Crimson Sweet' with improved disease resistance and more reliable production. Its development focused on maintaining the traditional striped appearance and sweet red flesh that epitomizes the American watermelon experience, while incorporating modern hybrid vigor and fusarium wilt resistance that many heirloom varieties lack.
The name 'Picnic' deliberately evokes the golden age of American outdoor dining, when families would gather around massive watermelons that required multiple people to carry and served dozens of people—a nostalgic nod to simpler times when bigger was definitively better in the watermelon world.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees
- +Edible: The fruit can be eaten raw or pickled. The rind is edible after cooking.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving melon flavor
Marigolds
Deters cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes that commonly attack melons
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, protecting watermelons
Radishes
Breaks up soil for better root penetration and deters cucumber beetles
Beans
Fixes nitrogen in soil to benefit heavy-feeding watermelons
Corn
Provides natural windbreak and shade during hot afternoons
Lettuce
Acts as living mulch, conserving soil moisture that watermelons require
Sunflowers
Attracts beneficial insects and provides afternoon shade for developing melons
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that inhibits watermelon growth and can kill plants
Fennel
Produces allelopathic compounds that stunt growth of melons and most vegetables
Potatoes
Competes heavily for nutrients and water, potentially harbors similar soil diseases
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167765)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to fusarium wilt and anthracnose
Common Pests
Cucumber beetles, aphids, squash bugs, cutworms
Diseases
Bacterial fruit blotch, gummy stem blight, powdery mildew, downy mildew