Watermelon: Nutritional Benefits, Risks, and Health Effects

Finding Seeded Watermelons Near Me

Watermelons are a delicious and nutritious fruit that many people enjoy, especially in the warm summer months. Seeded watermelons, sometimes called traditional watermelons or heirloom watermelons, contain black or brown seeds scattered throughout the sweet, juicy red flesh.

If you prefer the taste and texture of seeded watermelons over the seedless varieties, or want access to more varieties beyond just the standard oblong Crimson Sweet, you may be wondering where you can find them near where you live. This guide covers tips for locating sources of tasty seeded watermelons in your local area.

Farmers Markets and Fruit Stands

One of the best places to look for seeded watermelons is at farmers markets or farm fruit stands. Many small, local farms still grow heirloom and old-fashioned watermelon varieties that contain plentiful edible seeds.

Farmers markets allow these small farms to sell their produce directly to customers. Visit markets in your area and ask the vendors if they have any seeded watermelon varieties for sale. Some may have them already harvested and on display, while others may take requests and plant specific varieties if they know customers are interested.

Roadside farm stands also frequently sell freshly picked produce from small regional farms, including old-fashioned seeded watermelons. Check to see what the farms have available or place requests early in the growing season.

Local Grocery Stores or Specialty Markets

Some non-chain local grocery stores and small specialty food shops also carry uncommon fruits and vegetables including heirloom watermelons. These stores are often interested in sourcing high quality, locally grown produce to offer their customers.

Inquire at the stores in your community whether they ever get shipments of old-fashioned seeded watermelons from regional distributors. The produce managers may also be willing to special order seeded varieties for you upon request.

Pick-Your-Own Farms

Many areas have pick-your-own or u-pick farms that allow customers to visit and harvest crops straight from the fields and vines themselves. Some of these farms grow heirloom and seeded watermelon varieties that youll have the enjoyment of picking yourself.

Choose ripe watermelons by looking for a creamy yellow underside spot instead of green or white, which indicates ripeness. Avoid melons with cracks, dents, or other skin damage. Use a melon picking knife to cleanly cut the melons off the vine.

Look for pick-your-own farms in your locality that offer watermelon among their crops. Be sure to call ahead to find out what varieties they are currently growing, when melons will be ripe for picking, and any other rules and payment procedures for their farm.

Order Seeds and Grow Your Own

If you have the space and interest in gardening, consider growing your own heirloom seeded watermelons so you can enjoy harvesting them fresh from the vine in your backyard.

High quality watermelon seeds for growing many classic heirloom varieties are available from reputable online seed companies such as Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and Seed Savers Exchange.

Choose disease-resistant, reputably heirloom seeded varieties suited for your growing zone and with your preferred melon size, shape, rind pattern, and interior color.

Give your vines plenty of room to spread out, at least around 60-70 square feet per plant, plus access to full sunlight and nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Add trellises or support structures if desired. Water deeply at the vine crown about 1-2 times a week.

Join a CSA Program

Community supported agriculture (CSA) programs provide a simple way to access farm fresh, seasonal produce. Joining a CSA that offers watermelon will ensure you get first pick of their harvest.

Most CSAs deliver a weekly box of whatever is currently being picked on the farm to convenient neighborhood drop points for members to collect. Others allow members to visit the farm itself to pick out their share contents.

Read through CSA farm descriptions in your area to learn what types of produce they grow, including watermelon varieties. Ask if they ever grow seeded watermelon when available or take custom requests.

The Benefits and Nutrition of Seeded Watermelon

Seeded watermelon offers the same sweet juiciness and all around summer refreshment factor as popular seedless varieties. But keeping and deliberately planting heirloom watermelons provides additional benefits for genetic diversity in agriculture and our food system.

Preserving Genetic Diversity

The vast majority of watermelons sold in grocery stores today are made up of a narrow range of commercial hybrids and patented varieties optimized for large-scale production and shipping rather than flavor.

Heirloom seeded fruits, on the other hand, have been passed down and propagated naturally over generations. They represent a diverse range of genetics, with some dating back over 100 years. This genetic diversity is crucial for continued adaptability and resilience in food crop species.

Growing and supporting old-fashioned seeded watermelons, even if its just a few backyard vines, helps preserve food crop diversity for the future.

Nutrition and Health Benefits

Watermelon flesh is made up of 92% water and 6-7% sugar, giving it a juicy sweetness that makes it so refreshing on a hot day. The vibrant red color comes from beneficial plant pigments called lycopene, beta carotene, and other carotenoids.

Enjoying watermelon, including heirloom seeded varieties, offers a range of potential health perks thanks to its unique nutritional composition.

Lycopene and other plant compounds in watermelon have been linked to lower inflammation, improved heart health, and even protective benefits against certain cancers. The citrulline in watermelon rind promotes healthy arteries.

Watermelons natural sugars nourish good gut bacteria when digested. The fruit is also low in calories with almost no fat, and provides small amounts of potassium, vitamin C, vitamin A, and magnesium.

It Just Tastes Better

Seedless watermelons were originally cultivated for convenience, not for optimal flavor or texture. Gardeners and food aficionados often describe modern seedless commercial varietieswith their thicker, crunchier rinds and less vibrantly colored, more watery fleshas less sweet and tasty in comparison to old-fashioned melons.

Heirloom watermelons allowed to fully vine ripen naturally tend to deliver a richer, fruitier, more honeyed sweetness balanced by a fluffy juiciness. The seeds themselves add textural contrast similar to the chocolate chips in a cookie.

So for a truly decadent watermelon experience with deeper aroma and sweeter mouthfeel, seek out those old-fashioned seeded varieties local farmers proudly grow.

Enjoying Seeded Watermelon and Some Favorite Varieties

Choosing perfectly ripe seeded watermelons and cutting into these special heirloom varieties makes for a memorable part of summer.

Choosing Ripe Melons

Ripe watermelons feel heavy for their size and produce a nice hollow thump when tapped. Avoid melons with any dents, cracks, or damaged rinds.

Turn melons overthe underside ground spot should show a creamy yellow or orange-yellow instead of white or pale green, which means its ready for eating.

Cutting Watermelon Properly

Place whole watermelons in the refrigerator for a few hours before cutting. The chilled melon tastes more intensely sweet and refreshing.

Slice off both stem and blossom ends. Then stand melon upright and cut straight down lengthwise from top to bottom to cut into large triangle wedges for easy eating.

Some also cut side circles or oval shapes, although this leaves behind more rind and wasted melon flesh.

Use a sharp chefs knife or melon machete rather than a dull typical kitchen knife for clean cuts.

Popular Seeded Heirloom Varieties

Some favorite old-timey seeded watermelon varieties to try include:

• Moon & Stars Sweet pink flesh dotted with bright yellow speckles
• Blacktail Mountain Intense red flesh and extremely sweet flavor
• Congo Speckled dark and light green rind over crisp pink insides
• Charleston Grey Greenish-white rind with bright red, fibreless flesh
• Georgia Rattlesnake Oblong striped melons with sunny orange flesh

Storing Cut Watermelon

Leftover cut watermelon keeps best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days for peak flavor and texture.

The seeds can also be roasted for a healthy, crunchy snack and the rind pickled or incorporated into stir fries.

Enjoy Hunting for Those Seeded Summer Treasures

Part of the fun of late spring through early fall is tracking down beloved old-time seeded watermelon varieties as they come into season from diversified local farms.

With some sleuthing at farmers markets, fruit stands, specialty grocers and CSAs near where you live, youre likely to find a good source for those sweet heirloom summertime jewels.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.