Just received a nice haul of seeds from yall , very very informative been watching and learning for a while!!! I've had gardens in the past but nothing this big. With all the crap going on, I decided to turn my whole back yard into plot to supply my family , friends and neighbors with fresh food. World needs to get back to growing and coming together more. 😎👍 Great info thank you 🙏
I've grown Blacktail mountain for at least 10 years in Indiana and now on the Cumberland Plateau. The thing about them is be sure to eat some where you want them to grow the next year and you'll only need to plant them once. Seed thrown out late summer will sprout everywhere the next year. My granny always salted melons so I've eaten it both ways, I guess I'm neutral.
My hubby and I will both eat watermelon with salt & pepper, with just salt, and maybe plain but only if it is really sweet. We both prefer salt though because the sweet & salty is delicious.
Hey guys. I’m about 70 miles north of NY City and this is the second year trying melons. Had some success. This is BY FAR the best video tutorial I have seen about melons! (Large home garden) Thank you thank you. Will be checking out your website!
That's crazy! I switched over to determinate tomatoes 3 yrs ago with your Bella Rosa and Summerpick varieties and now I only grow determinate ones for our market.
My first determinants were Celebrity last year. Due to getting wave after wave of amazing tasting tomatoes until last Fall… I am growing more of them this year AND doing Bella Rosa AND Red Snapper due to their recommendations. I cannot wait!
I'm with you on watermelon. My parents own a porta-jon company. They used to trade a porta-jon rental for 2 huge watermelons from a guy named George down here in Fort Walton Beach, FL. They were the best tasting watermelons I have ever had. I ate 2 a week for an entire summer back then and then never saw him again. He was pretty elderly at the time so Im pretty certain he's no longer with us. 😔 I was the only one eating them and they were huge so I was swimming in watermelon. I have tried to find a watermelon that good since that summer but I haven't had any luck. I'm like a heroin addict chasing the dragon. I've got a couple Sangria plants started this year so fingers crossed they turn out well. Team no salt btw. I do like salt on cantaloupe though.
I ❤️ ya mama Hoss! But I’m with Papa Hoss on this one Team #NoSalt! Salt on a watermelon 🍉 is about as bad as using miracle whip instead of Duke’s on a tomato sandwich!
Just received a large order all the way in Granada Nicaragua. Excited about trying the new Hossinator in my year round tropical location. Thanks for great quality seed!
Another for Team Salt here! 🙋🏼♀️. Have tried to grow Babydoll a couple of years but have critters that love ‘em too. Trying a trellis next summer!! 🤞🏼
Team no salt for me. I don’t have room to grow watermelons in my small garden so I pick mine up at the local farmers market. Love you guys. I always learn something from your videos even though I’m in zone 6a Kentucky.
Sorry Mr Hoss, I’m with mama Hoss on this. My whole family (parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents) have only eaten watermelon WITH salt! I love it with or without salt. The ones I grew last year were so sweet, salt was not needed. If I ever have to buy one from the store, usually, I have to add salt to enhance the flavor. Love y’all’s show. I have learned so much and continue to learn more. You guys rock!!
Team salt! Also my dad always said that Black Diamond was the best tasting watermelon. I remember riding with him through the farmers market here in Georgia looking for a vendor with them
Paused the video to order some of the Blacktail Mountain seeds. I'm taking part in a just-for-fun watermelon growing contest and this type may do the trick for me. Thanks!
No Salt, but has to be chilled! I’ve grown watermelon for 9 years now counting this year, many many varieties! My favorite, and the varieties that have done the best are “Crimson Sweet” and “Black Diamond”! 3 years ago I grew 8 “Carolina Cross” plants and grew 8 melons (one melon per plant) that weighed between 90 and 172 lbs, they get absolutely enormous! Not the sweetest but they were good enough to eat. I love growing them for the size honestly…
I remember as a youngster my dad planted an acre of watermelons next to the road. He had a can on a sick with a sign pick and donate as you wish. We had so many watermelons. We are a split household on salt vs no salt.
Catching up on videos been very busy getting pressure canning done while going through my hoss seeds getting ready for last 2 nights of freezing weather in upsate SC mountains. I like SALT ON EVERYTHING. HAVE A VERY BLESSED DAY
I’m in N.C. and getting ready to put in my new drip system. I am hoping this helps my watermelons. I also got the fertilizer injector and I’m looking forward to trying it out. I don’t use salt because it covers the flavor. Old goat is on the 2nd shelf from bottom behind Greg in the left corner.
Most gardeners in our area has always grown indeterminate tomatoes, we were always told determinate varieties are grown in Florida and Texas for the markets. This year will be the first time i'm growing more than one variety of determinate tomatoes, last year i tried the Brickyard i was lucky enough to get from HOSS and they grew fairly well, so i'm trying eight determinate varieties this year. I'm growing Blacktail Mountain watermelons this year for the first time, unfortunately i have already bought the seeds from another supplier but next year i will definitely order them from HOSS. Can't wait to eat fresh sweet watermelon, truly the dessert of gardening! #NoSaltOnWatermelon
Black Tail Mountain was developed by Mr. Glenn Drowns, owner of Sandhill Preservation Center in Iowa. It's a great tasting early melon. Orangeglo watermelon was introduced by the Wilhite Seed Co. in the 1960's. We only grow this melon here in zone 9a/b and it is delicious, juicy and so pretty.
I have not had good luck growing watermelons. Last year my melons (crimson sweet and baby doll) had no flavor at all. I use drip tubing on my melon row to give them plenty of consistent water. I live in So. Oregon (zone 8)and our summers are hot and dry. I have heard you should stop watering the plants about a week or two before you harvest to increase the sugar. Can too much water dilute the flavor? I love your show! I'll take a look at Hoss University to see what changes I need to make to have more success. I love watermelon with salt!
@@joesmo2840 Not as big as they should have been. I had quite a few on each of the plants so I probably should have thinned them out so the ones left could size up.
@Mary Perez I had the same issue in North Alabama. I grew Jubilee, Moon & Stars yellow and red, and also yellow Baby Doll from Hoss Tools. Plants grew great (on drip irrigation), nice sized melons, everything went well except the flavor. We had a lot of rain last year and I don't know if that was a factor, but none of them were worth eating. All of the varieties were bland and tasteless as were my cantaloupes. It had been a while since the last time I'd planted watermelon. I'm going to try 1 variety only this year and see if it makes a difference. If not, that'll be it for me as a watermelon grower.
@@whereisvinemont2695 That's exactly what I experienced. Yes, even my cantaloupes had little flavor. I'm going to try reducing the water as they get close to ripe to see if that makes a difference. Hope this year is better for you too. Good luck!
Great show and information on the watermelon. Gonna try growing some this year to see if I can do it. Sorry Greg, I am team salt, have always done this since I was young. By the way, the Old Goat is hiding behind the fertilizer tablets on the second shelf behind Greg. Keep up the good work. Got my fertilizer and flower seeds this week, 2 days after I ordered them. Super quick, Thanks.
I’m going to try to grow some watermelons again the first time I didn’t have many melons and the ones I thought were good had white bugs underneath and they were no good. The bugs may have been white flys I don’t know. Thanks
I'm going to try growing watermelons for the first time this year in my backyard garden. Sangria and Yellow Doll. Greg, I would love to see you do a video update on the Thom onions since it's been a couple of years.
I'm highly impressed with the way you assist others in their crops growing. Please I still have this Problem of spacing watermelon. 1.Can I do 2ft by 2 ft in between and rows.? 2 Can I plant other vegetables that can be harvested within 6weeks along with watermelon since it is harvested in 90days? 3. What is the ideal fertilizer for watermelon nursing stage before transplant as I use super grow for my plantain? I love watermelon a lot but I have decided to start planting rather than buying in the market daily. I have 4plots of land. Your immediate response will be highly appreciated! Thanks sir.
Would not recommend companion planting as the vines run and would interfere. They would be overgrown and crushed. Check out the link below to our growing guide. hosstools.com/watermelon-growing-guide/
What advise would you give those that want to grow watermelon every year but do not have the space to do a proper rotation? Cover crop? Soil treatments? Tarping? I am in this boat. I have not had any issues yet, but I am sure they are coming.
I have heard that about the webbing and the bees visiting the bloom but I have no idea if it's true. The advice about the darker cream colored spot on the bottom is "spot on". Pun intended.😁
2021 was my first year as a real GARDENER! I am so proud. I grew sugar babies and the only mistake I made was in planting too late for 6a.!! I thought I followed the chart!! What happened?? I grew from seed. How can I ensure that I get my seeds out in time this year? Last year grew in bags, had 7 melons but they weren't ripe before the cold.
We just added this variety just for this reason. See description below The Black Tail Mountain Watermelon is one of the best-tasting melons we’ve ever tried! This heirloom variety is extremely well suited for northern zones especially but can also stand the higher temperatures and droughts in lower zones. The dark green/black rind conceals a gorgeous deep scarlet red flesh that is sweet, crunchy, and super juicy. The round fruits can weigh between 8-14 lbs. and usually hosstools.com/product/black-tail-mountain-watermelon/
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!! YOU ARE THE BEST DADGUM GARDENING SHOW ON THE INTERNET/RU-vid!!!!! Found the OLD GOAT hiding behind Greg on the second shelf on the far far left behind the four cylinders of something, I see the top of his ears. I am NOT a watermelon fan or eater, but LOVE honeydew or cantaloupe, do you grow either of them? I LOVE you so much, I will watch until the end even though I detest watermelon because YOU are so entertaining. I'm TEAM NO WATERMELON!!!
Going try some sugar baby watermelons in containers this year. Got the seed from ya'll. What kind of fertilizer do they need? Also the down fall of watering tomatoes with a sprinkler.
This is all on our growing guide link below hosstools.com/watermelon-growing-guide/ Watermelon Irrigation Requirements Irrigation for your watermelon plants is one of, if not the most important, aspects of growing healthy watermelons. We always recommend using a drip tape irrigation system for several reasons. 1. Once the watermelons have developed a strong vine and foliage, getting water to the root system can be difficult with overhead watering. 2. Watermelons, in general, have typical disease issues. Drip irrigation will help keep moisture off the leaves and at the root system where it’s needed the most. Extended leaf wetness can easily cause disease in your crop. 3. Watermelons don’t do well under stress and improper irrigation is a major stress factor on plants. Drip irrigation ensures each plant is is getting the required amount of moisture. Overall, the rule of thumb when growing watermelons is that watermelon plants require 1″ - 2″ of water per week while they are growing and producing flowers and fruits. Depending on your zone, if you have more rain during the summer, be sure and account for extra moisture in your irrigation schedule. Once the melons start to produce, decreasing the amount of water weekly will help give you a sweeter fruit during harvesting. In-Ground Watermelon Fertilizer Schedule Several Weeks Before Planting Test your soil at your local extension office. 1 Week Before Planting After adjusting soil pH to 6.0 - 6.5, mix 1 1/2 cups per 10 ft. of row of Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer with your soil. 2 Weeks After Planting Using the Hoss Fertilizer Injector, Mix 1 cup of Hoss Premium 20-20-20 Fertilizer -AND -1-2 cups of Hoss Micro-Boost Micronutrient Supplement per 20 ft. of row. Rotate Every 7 Days After Vines Begin To Run Mix 1 cup of Hoss Premium Calcium Nitrate -AND -1-2 cups of Hoss Micro-Boost Micronutrient Supplement per 20 ft. of row.
May need to contact you all directly for some help regarding drip tape. Grey 4 watermelons last year for the first time with incredible results. Did orange glo, Art Combes Ancient, and Crimson Sweet. I go all organic, but fertilize incredibly heavy handed. Got probably 18 melons off of all the plants by the end of the season, with a couple hitting 25 pounds plus. This was on a plant with up to 4 or 5 melons at a time. I think if you have a small garden and absolutely load a melon plant up with a vadiety of fertilizer, you can increase yields significantly. But it's not practical for large scale grows. UMy problem was all the weeds, and the back breaking work of hand watering a decent sized backyard garden. Would love to do drip tape but have a few questions. Are your emitters facing upwards or downwards? Are the starts planted on top or underneath the drip tape? Love your videos, I'm from zone 7a in the desert southwest.
Thanks for talking about high altitude. We just can’t grow watermelon because our growing season is so short. We have tried to start in a green house, but they just don’t have enough time to mature….what are we to do?
We just added this variety just for this reason. See description below The Black Tail Mountain Watermelon is one of the best-tasting melons we’ve ever tried! This heirloom variety is extremely well suited for northern zones especially but can also stand the higher temperatures and droughts in lower zones. The dark green/black rind conceals a gorgeous deep scarlet red flesh that is sweet, crunchy, and super juicy. The round fruits can weigh between 8-14 lbs. and usually hosstools.com/product/black-tail-mountain-watermelon/
I grew watermelon and corn my first year but I did lots of research and had success with corn watermelon didn't produce as well but I live in Washington state and wasn't a good watermelon year grew Black tail mountain the next 2 years I grew Crimson sweet which did great saved seeds last year gonna grow them this year team no salt can learn a lot in a short time watching yours and others videos just make sure that the RU-vidr you watch knows what they are talking about that's why I watch your videos
As a kid, the family all used salt. Now as an adult I do not put salt although living in the Mohave desert with days getting into the mid 120’s, it would be good to put some Himalayan sea salt since we sweat our backsides off here
Old Goat in the corner behind the Dr. Joe's tabs. Pretty sneaky this week! I'm with Greg.....NO SALT!! That's as bad as sugar on grits! :) I'm going with Sugar Baby this year, and I think that's my only melon. Great show, as always! Thanks!
Hi all! I ordered a few more seeds TODAY and they already shipped!!! You guys are just the bomb. I was thrilled to see Saucy Lady tomatoes. I have been growing them for a few years and love them. By the way, I really enjoyed the show, but ... what about the corny joke of the week?????
Would the same growing schedule and fertilizer plan work with cantalopes? How many fruits per plant can you expect with watermelons and cantalopes? If I plant them in one row, maybe the 1 foot spacing would yield more fruit?
yes, the same growing and fertilizer plan will work with cantaloupes. The fruits per plant will depend on the variety you plant. Check out our watermelon growing guide. Link below. hosstools.com/watermelon-growing-guide/
We’re the same with salt vs no salt. I love salt on my melons b/c it help bring out the flavor. But my husband thanks it is strange to add salt. My MIL use to put a lime/chili powder on her watermelon.
My household same way, I'm team no salt, my husband is team salt. I'm like you greg, watermelon ruined if salted. I'm going to try planting watermelon this summer. Nancy from nebraska
#Team No Salt On Watermelon….A couple of years ago I switched to determinate for production and disease resistance but,I still grow a few of the heirlooms/indeterminate’s for the taste…Love my Cherokee Purple and Brandy Wine Pink’s . BTW the old goat is behind the fertilizer tablets
I used to get a stomachache whenever I ate watermelon. My father said to put salt on the watermelon and I won't get a stomach ache. I did it and it worked. Another reason to salt watermelon is to bring out the flavor. If you make something with sugar, you add salt to bring out the flavor and not be overwhelmed with sugar. Salt enhances flavor. That's according to my father, the professional chef.
Greg, how can you grow watermelon in zone 8 McDonough ga. In January the frost up here is bad. And the cold is bad January at night most of time 20 n 30.
which watermelon varieties are suitable for ZONE 10 or 11 where temperature rises to 47 degrees Celsius in summers.? Like someone told me that Charleston gray watermelon is for zone 5 to 9. So please help.
