Your Guide to Worth Watermelon 2023: Flavor, Where to Buy, Growing Tips

Your Guide to Worth Watermelon 2023

If you're looking for a new and exciting watermelon variety to grow in your garden or buy at the store, Worth watermelon 2023 is one to consider. This new watermelon has been gaining a lot of buzz among home gardeners and produce aficionados for its sweet flavor, large size, and health benefits.

What is Worth Watermelon 2023?

Worth watermelon 2023 is an open pollinated, heirloom variety of the popular summertime fruit. It produces large, oblong melons weighing around 25-35 pounds on average. The rind exhibits light green striping over a medium green background.

Inside, the flesh is a stunning bright red color with a high sugar content and super sweet flavor. Each melon contains minimal seeds for easier eating. Worth watermelon 2023 is juicy and crisp with a taste described by many as one of the best theyve tried.

Origin

Worth watermelon 2023 originated from a seed company called Worth Farms located in Fort Worth, Texas. Their expert breeders specially developed this melon over several years to create the ideal balance of sweetness, size, disease resistance, and appearance.

The first seeds became available to home gardeners and small farms in 2022. Larger commercial growing followed in 2023 to allow more widespread distribution and availability.

Benefits and Flavor

What makes Worth watermelon 2023 stand out from other varieties on the market? Here are some of the key benefits:

• Very high sugar content with super sweet, juicy flesh
• Minimal seeds for easy eating
• Large, heavy melons averaging 25-35 lbs
• Beautiful red interior flesh color
• Thrives in hot, humid climates
• Disease and pest resistant
• Stores well after harvesting

In terms of flavor, Worth watermelon 2023 offers a sugar content of 12-15 Brix. This far exceeds the average grocery store watermelon. The sweetness balances beautifully with a refreshing crispness that makes it hard to stop at one slice!

Appearance

These large, oblong melons have a light and dark green striped rind pattern. Shape is slightly elongated rather than a perfect circle. Average dimensions range from 16-18 inches long by 12-14 inches wide.

On the inside, the flesh is a stunning bright red that contrasts beautifully with the green rind. Texture is crisp, juicy, and easily biting. There are minimal visible seeds scattered throughout the interior flesh and center.

Growing Worth Watermelon 2023

Gardeners looking to grow Worth watermelon 2023 should be prepared to accommodate large vines and fruit. Here are some tips for a successful crop:

Climate Conditions

Worth watermelon thrives in hot, humid environments with temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The plants need at least 3 months of warm, frost-free weather to reach maturity and produce ripe melons.

This variety grows best in Hardiness Zones 3-10. Provide full sun exposure for optimal fruit production. Heat tolerant varieties like Worth also perform well in drought conditions compared to other watermelons.

Soil Needs

Watermelons prefer rich, well-draining loam soil. Add aged compost or manure before planting to increase fertility. Soil pH should be between 6.0-6.8 for best results.

Raised beds or mounds improve drainage and warmth. Amend clay soils with compost to prevent compacting around the vines. Rotate watermelons yearly to prevent disease buildup.

Planting Methods

Start Worth watermelon seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before your last expected frost date. Transplant seedlings to the garden once daytime temps reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Space vining hills 4-6 feet apart in rows 5-7 feet apart. Sow 3-4 seeds in each hill and thin to the two strongest after sprouting. Cover with 1 inch of soil.

Alternatively, sow seeds 1 inch deep directly in the garden after the danger of frost. Thin seedlings to 24-36 inches between plants.

Care and Maintenance

Consistent watering is crucial, especially when fruits start forming. Provide 1-2 inches per week. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to avoid wetting the leaves.

Apply a balanced vegetable fertilizer when plants begin vining. Side dress vines again when melons start ripening.

Control weeds through careful hoeing or mulching. Floating row covers prevent insect damage. Train vines upward on trellises or frames to save space.

Harvest Time

Look for a dried, curly tendril on the stem near each melon to gauge ripeness. The bottom of the fruit should be cream or yellow colored. Gently lift and detach ripe melons with pruners.

Worth watermelons take around 90-100 days to reach maturity from seed planting. Harvest window is usually mid to late summer.

Store freshly picked melons in a cool area around 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ripe melons last 2-3 weeks with proper storage.

Purchasing Worth Watermelon 2023

As production of Worth watermelon 2023 scales up, consumers can expect to find it more widely available at grocery stores, farm stands, and markets during peak season from mid to late summer.

Where to Buy

Here are some of the best places to find Worth watermelon 2023:

• Specialty produce markets and grocers
• Farmers markets and farm stands
• Fruit and vegetable subscription boxes
• Natural food co-ops and stores
• Online retailers like MelonPatch and Waldo's Watermelons
• Local pickup from farms via Facebook or other listings

Availability is highest in areas near the production regions like Texas, California, Arizona, and Florida. Prices may be more affordable direct from farms and orchards.

What to Look For

When selecting Worth watermelon 2023, look for these indicators of ripeness and quality:

• Heavy for its size with no bruises, cuts, or dents
• Buttery yellow spot on underside
• Webbed texture and dried tendrils on stem
• Symmetrical shape with no odd protrusions
• Bright green rind with light striping
• Firm, not mushy when pressed

Avoid melons with minimal striping or large white patches on the rind, which indicates sunburn damage. Select based on aroma, as ripe Worth melons smell sweet and fruity.

Cost

Pricing for Worth watermelon 2023 may be slightly higher than traditional grocery store varieties, averaging around $3-$4 per pound. However, youre paying for superior sweetness and quality. Buying direct from farms can provide better pricing.

Uses and Tips

The sweet flavor and juicy red flesh of Worth watermelon 2023 make it perfect for all your favorite summer recipes. Here are some serving ideas and usage tips:

Slicing Raw

The easiest way to enjoy these melons is slicing them fresh and eating the meaty flesh and juice right out of the rind. Bring them to parties, potlucks, or picnics for sharing.

Fruit Salads

Dice or ball Worth watermelon 2023 to mix into refreshing fruit salads along with pineapple, grapes, berries, and other melons like cantaloupe or honeydew.

Smoothies

Blend chunks of watermelon with Greek yogurt and fruit like mangos or strawberries for a nutrition packed smoothie.

Watermelon Salsa

Mix diced watermelon with onions, tomatoes, lime juice, cilantro, and jalapeno for a unique salsa to accompany grilled chicken, fish, or chips.

Agua Fresca

Muddle chunks of watermelon with a bit of sugar and mint leaves, then mix with water for an agua fresca beverage.

Pickling

Try your hand at pickling Worth watermelon rind to enjoy year round. Boil vinegar brine and pour over peeled rinds in jars.

Freezing

Puree leftover melon in a blender, then freeze in ice cube trays to add to drinks later on. Frozen watermelon cubes also make great cold snacks.

Nutrition Facts

Worth watermelon 2023 offers an impressive nutrient profile. One 2-cup serving of flesh contains:

• 80 calories
• 18 grams carbohydrates
• 2 grams fiber
• 20 milligrams vitamin C (25% DV)
• 170 micrograms vitamin A (15% DV)
• 12 milligrams potassium (4% DV)
• 8 milligrams magnesium (2% DV)

Watermelon is also an excellent source of antioxidants like lycopene, citrulline, and cucurbitacin. These compounds provide benefits for heart health, workout recovery, immune function, and more.

Benefits

Some of the top health perks associated with eating watermelon like Worth watermelon 2023 include:

• May lower blood pressure
• Helps hydrate the body
• Anti-inflammatory effects
• Supports workout recovery
• Contains carotenoids for eye and skin health
• May reduce muscle soreness
• Rich in vitamins A and C

With its stellar nutrient content and juicy sweetness, Worth watermelon 2023 is a healthy choice over sugary treats come summertime.

How Long Does It Last?

When stored properly, whole ripe Worth watermelons can last around 2-3 weeks at room temperature. Follow these storage tips:

• Leave whole melons out until slicing. Cut melons deteriorate faster.
• Keep melons in a cool, shaded area around 60-70F.
• Allow airflow around melons by spacing apart.
• Wash exterior rind well before cutting to prevent contamination.
• Wrap cut melon tightly and refrigerate up to one week.

Signs a whole melon is past peak ripeness include a rough rind, yellow rather than cream underside, and mushy feel. Discard cut melons if you notice mold, foul odors, or slime.

Does It Live Up to the Hype?

Worth watermelon 2023 has generated lots of excitement among melon aficionados. But does this new variety truly stand out from the rest? Here are some pros and cons:

Pros

• Truly earns the description super sweet - one of the highest sugar contents around
• Refreshingly juicy and crisp texture
• Beautiful interior and exterior appearance
• Minimal effort to grow for home gardeners
• Stores longer than more delicate melons

Cons

• Large vines require substantial garden space
• Not widely available yet outside local sources
• Slightly higher cost than traditional varieties
• Peel can be quite thick if eating the rind

While the hype seems justified overall in terms of sweetness and eating quality, Worth watermelon 2023 may still be hard to find or cost prohibitive depending on your area. Growing your own is the best way to get guaranteed ripeness and flavor.

The Verdict

If looking for the sweetest, juiciest watermelon around with a knock-your-socks off flavor, its hard to beat Worth watermelon 2023. The vibrant interior color, large fruit size, hardy vines, and superior sugar content distinguish this newcomer on the melon scene.

As production expands over the next few years, Worth just may become the new gold standard for watermelons. Look for it at specialty shops and farmers markets during peak season to enjoy this special melon at its flavorful best.

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.