Watermelon 'Desert King'

Super easy to grow! I started seeds bought from Baker Creek, indoors last year 3 weeks before my last frost. Due to gardening chaos, I ac...Read Morecidentally forgot about these watermelon seedlings for a few weeks! They were dry, scraggly, and had tons of roots growing through the peat pots (which saved them I think), but still sorta green. So I planted 2 of them in a deserted spot in the garden (thinking they were dying anyway), fed them compost and watered them. Within a few weeks, they had not only survived but started to cover the nearby fence! I only watered them occasionally, but they still continued to grow even through a semi-drought time, and even produced 3 small, wonderfully flavored melons for us! The squash bugs left them alone, even though a nearby zucchini was infested. These watermelon are amazing!

this is the second year I have grown this melon. Have had good luck both years and will continue growing. Productive and good tasting, ...Read Morealthough I prefer orangeglo's taste and texture. I have now have a black melon with tough skin, gold flesh being produced form seed of desert king grown last year. Very good flavor don't know how the cross occured. Will try growing from their seed.

Easy to grow. Very big seeds. Average taste.

Exceptional watermelon for the home grower who may be absent at times. Quick growing, disease resistant, quick to fruit/ripen, holds on ...Read Morevine a very long time, drought resistant! Even held up well to cold, lasting through several light freezes and continuing to produce melons during that time.

We bought a desert king at a local fruit stand, ate it for Fourth of July, saved the seeds and immediately planted them in the side yard of our new vacation home. We ended up with at least four fruiting vines, and many more we thinned.

By late September (remember, it was planted 7/4/06!) we ate our first melon, and we enjoyed numerous more before the third frost killed them for good. Melons lasted long on the vine, and the vines were tough, lasting far longer than the cantaloupe when cold weather arrived. We only watered on weekends - in Georgia's hot summer - and the watermelons didn't mind at all. Sweet off the vine when fully ripe, although they loose a little sweetness if left on the vine too long (but still delicious, per my six year old, who knows about all things sweet).

Desert King is really a no-fail watermelon, and the bright yellow flesh is a conversation starter at parties and family get-togethers.