Watermelon

Brought to Canada by Russian immigrants, orange-fleshed ‘Sweet Siberian’ became very popular in Canada & is now big in Japan as well. While watermelon plants want heat & a lot of compost, at 80-90 days ‘Sweet Siberian’ is early enough to be grown in cool & temperate areas. Away from the Bay, give it your hottest spot. Near the Bay, you must raise the soil temperature (black plastic or tall raised beds/pots) & warm the air with a floating ground cover. A challenge, yes, but it can be done & your neighbors will be impressed. Expect 3-4 watermelons on each vine, yellow fleshed & 5-8 lbs., juicy & flavorful. Ready to harvest when the melon develops a creamy white spot where it touches the ground.