Dixie Queen Organic Watermelon

🕰️ Historical Background

First introduced in the 1930s, Dixie Queen quickly became a Southern favorite thanks to its reliability in hot, humid climates and its short growing season. It was especially popular among home gardeners and small farmers in the southeastern United States, prized for its early yield and excellent shipping qualities.

Dixie Queen is considered an heirloom variety, which means its seeds are open-pollinated and have been passed down through generations without genetic modification. It is part of a legacy of traditional American agriculture, and growing it today helps preserve biodiversity in food crops.

🎉 Fun Facts

• State Fair Staple: Dixie Queen watermelons were often featured in county fair competitions for the largest and best-looking melons.

• Bee-Friendly: The plant’s large yellow flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

• Seed Saving: Because it’s an open-pollinated variety, you can save seeds from year to year, maintaining the same traits.

🌡️ How to Grow Dixie Queen Watermelon from Seeds

🧰 Materials Needed

• Dixie Queen watermelon seeds

• Seed starting trays or peat pots

• Potting mix (light and well-draining)

• Compost or organic fertilizer

• Mulch (like straw or black plastic)

• Garden tools (trowel, hoe)

• Trellis or space to sprawl (optional, for small gardens)

• Water source

• Full sun location

🔄 Seed Preparation

• Soaking Seeds (Optional): Soak seeds in warm water for 6–8 hours before planting to speed up germination.

• Pre-Warm Soil: If starting outdoors, use black plastic mulch to warm the soil in advance.

🌱 Step-by-Step Growing Instructions

1. Start Seeds Indoors (Optional)

• When: 2–4 weeks before the last frost date.

• How: Plant seeds ½ inch deep in peat pots with moist, warm potting mix.

• Temperature: Maintain soil temperature at 75–95°F (optimal is around 85°F) for best germination.

• Germination Time: Typically 4–10 days.

2. Transplant or Direct Sow

• Wait until all danger of frost has passed and soil temperature is consistently 70°F or higher.

• Choose a location with full sun and well-drained, sandy loam soil enriched with compost.

• Spacing:

  • Hills: Plant 3–4 seeds per hill, spaced 3–4 feet apart.

  • Rows: Space plants 4–6 feet apart with 6–8 feet between rows.

3. Care and Maintenance

• Watering: Water deeply once or twice a week; reduce watering as fruit begins to ripen to concentrate sugars.

• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer when vines start growing, and a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus one when flowering begins.

• Mulching: Use straw or plastic to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and warm the soil.

• Pollination: Encourage bees or hand-pollinate by transferring pollen from male to female flowers.

4. Harvesting

• Time: Usually ready in 80–90 days from planting.

• Signs of Ripeness:

  • The tendril nearest the fruit turns brown and dries.

  • The underside (where it touches the ground) turns creamy yellow.

  • A dull hollow sound when tapped.

🌿 Uses and Medicinal Benefits of Dixie Queen Watermelon

🍽️ Culinary Uses

• Fresh eating (sliced, cubed)

• Juices and smoothies

• Fruit salads

• Grilled watermelon

• Pickled watermelon rinds

🌿 Medicinal Uses and Health Benefits

Watermelon, including the Dixie Queen variety, offers a range of health benefits thanks to its nutrient-rich composition.

✅ Hydration

• Composed of over 90% water, making it ideal for staying hydrated in hot weather.

✅ Rich in Lycopene

• The red pigment lycopene is a powerful antioxidant, linked to:

  • Reduced risk of heart disease

  • Lower inflammation

  • Possible cancer prevention (especially prostate)

✅ Citrulline Content

• Contains L-citrulline, an amino acid that:

  • Improves blood flow

  • Supports muscle recovery

  • May help lower blood pressure

✅ Digestive Aid

• High in water and fiber, which helps regulate digestion and prevent constipation.

✅ Skin & Hair Health

• Rich in vitamins A and C, which are important for collagen production and skin health.

⚠️ Precautions

• Overwatering during ripening can cause cracking.

• Avoid planting in the same spot each year to prevent soil-borne diseases.

• Use floating row covers early on to prevent pests like cucumber beetles and squash vine borers.