Tendersweet Orange Watermelon

Tendersweet Orange Watermelon is an orange-fleshed heirloom producing large 10 to 15 pound melons that are orange throughout with minimal seeds. The fruit is sweet and juicy without a hint of bitterness, and plants are warm-weather lovers that are less susceptible to powdery mildew than many melons.

At a glance

• Type: heirloom, open-pollinated watermelon
• Non-GMO
• Flesh: orange, sweet, juicy
• Fruit weight: 10 to 15 lbs
• Yield: 5 to 7 smaller melons or 2 to 3 larger per plant
• Sun: full sun
• Resistance: less prone to powdery mildew

Best for

• Fresh summer eating
• Family and crowd-pleasing slices
• Colorful fruit salads
• Warm-climate gardens
• Kid-friendly gardening

How to grow

Sow seeds about 1 inch deep in full sun after frost, giving the warmth-loving vines room to spread. Keep soil consistently moist while fruit develops and harvest once the underside turns creamy and the nearest tendril dries. The thinner rind means shorter storage, so enjoy fresh.

Flavor profile

Sweet and juicy with no bitterness and a smooth, refreshing orange-fleshed taste.

About MIgardener

MIgardener is a Michigan-based family company offering affordable heirloom and non-GMO seeds to help home gardeners grow more for less.