Variety field guide
What to expect from Moon and Stars Watermelon Seeds
Moon and Stars Watermelon seeds produce red watermelon, 25-40 lb, on vining/climbing plants.
Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record
Moon and Stars Watermelon seeds produce red watermelon, 25-40 lb, on vining/climbing plants. It is best suited to fresh eating, family gardens, educational gardens, seed saving, and distinctive market displays. sweet, juicy watermelon flesh with classic heirloom character Moon and Stars Watermelon produce sprawling vines producing dark fruit speckled with small stars and larger yellow moons.
About Moon and Stars
Moon and Stars is an annual watermelon with red color, 97–120 in mature height or spread, and a vining/climbing habit. Harvest form or size: 25-40 lb. Botanically it is Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai. Maturity or first bloom: 90-99 Days; germination: 5-10 Days at 75–90 °F. Best for fresh eating, family gardens, educational gardens, seed saving, and distinctive market displays. Sweet, juicy watermelon flesh with classic heirloom character.
History and provenance
History and provenance of Moon and Stars Watermelon Moon and Stars appeared in American seed commerce in the early twentieth century, later became scarce, and returned to wider circulation after Missouri gardener Merle Van Doren maintained the variety and shared seed during the late twentieth century. The yellow markings can also appear on the leaves. Botanical record: Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus. The broader crop history is kept separate from the documented history of the named variety, and repeated catalog stories are not presented as certain. Sources consulted: https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/heirloom-watermelon-varieties-zewz1310zpit/ https://www.ars.usda.gov/southeast-area/charleston-sc/vegetable-research/docs/cgc/gene-list-for-watermelon-2007/ https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/saving-vegetable-seeds https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/collecting-storing-seeds-your-garden Moon and Stars watermelon seeds produce large dark green watermelons marked with yellow stars and one or more larger moon-like patches. The defining kitchen quality is juicy, rich red watermelon flavor with old-fashioned sweetness. Moon and Stars watermelon seeds are warm-season seed. The vines need full sun, warm soil, fertile drainage, and steady moisture while fruit is sizing.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Annual |
| Maturity / first bloom | 90-99 Days |
| Germination | 5-10 Days at 75–90 °F |
| Seed depth | 1 in |
| Plant height / spread | 97–120 in |
| Growth habit | Vining/Climbing |
| Spacing | 36 in between plants; 48 in between rows |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil | Loamy; pH 6.0–6.5 |
| Water | Moderate |
| Support | No-Support |
Starting Moon and Stars from seed
How to grow Moon and Stars Watermelon
Botanical identity: Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai. Life cycle: Annual.
Sow 1 in and use a seed-zone temperature near 75–90 °F. Expected emergence: 5-10 Days. No stratification; direct sow into warm soil or start briefly in biodegradable cells and transplant young
Plant during Late Spring. Space plants 36 in apart with 48 in between rows or planting bands.
Provide Full sun, moderate water, and loamy near pH 6.0–6.5. Support: No-Support.
Garden performance and care
Give Moon and Stars enough room for its vining/climbing growth. Direct irrigation to the soil, keep developing fruit on dry mulch or boards where rot is common, and leave seed-saving fruit on the plant beyond the eating stage. Expected emergence is 5-10 Days; the listed maturity or bloom timing is 90-99 Days.
Harvest, bloom, and uses
Moon and Stars is best for fresh eating, family gardens, educational gardens, seed saving, and distinctive market displays. Harvest form or size: 25-40 lb. Color at the principal harvest or mature stage: Red. Sweet, juicy watermelon flesh with classic heirloom character.
Saving seed
Seed saving for Moon and Stars Select several healthy, true-to-type plants so the saved lot represents the variety rather than one unusually early or large individual. Melons are insect-pollinated and varieties of the same species can cross. Isolate compatible varieties or use controlled pollination, and mark fruit from healthy true-to-type plants. Allow seed fruit to become fully ripe; eating ripeness and seed maturity should both be reached. Remove seed, separate pulp by washing or short fermentation as appropriate, rinse until clean, and dry in a thin layer with good airflow. Keep records of species, variety, plant count, isolation, ripeness test, fruit traits, and year.
Common problems
Watch Moon and Stars for cucumber beetles, squash bugs where applicable, aphids, powdery or downy mildew, bacterial wilt, crown rot, poor pollination, and fruit damage on wet soil. Rotate cucurbit crops, provide airflow, water at the root zone, protect young plants before flowering, and remove covers when blossoms need pollinators. Do not work wet vines.
Frequently asked questions
When is Moon and Stars ready?
90-99 Days from warm direct sowing or equivalent established transplant
How long does germination take?
Expect 5-10 Days near 75–90 °F; actual emergence changes with moisture, seed condition, and soil temperature.
How large does it grow?
About 97–120 in with a vining/climbing habit. Support: No-Support.
Can it grow in a container?
Best in open ground or a large raised bed; mature vines require substantial horizontal or vertical space.
How is it used?
Primary uses: Fresh eating, family gardens, educational gardens, seed saving, and distinctive market displays. Sweet, juicy watermelon flesh with classic heirloom character.
Can I save seed?
Yes where the crop biology allows, but keep compatible varieties isolated, use several healthy plants, wait for full seed maturity, dry thoroughly, and label the lot.
Minimum Seed Count:30 seeds
