How to Grow Watermelon 'Jubilee'
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Watermelon 'Jubilee'
Citrullus lanatus 'Jubilee'
fruitJubilee is a classic American heirloom watermelon variety known for its large, oblong fruits with dark green striped rind and crisp, sweet red flesh. Originally developed in the 1960s, it remains a favorite for home gardeners and has become a standard against which other melons are measured. This vigorous vine produces excellent-tasting melons ideal for summer harvesting.
When should you plant Watermelon 'Jubilee' in your zone?
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Example Watermelon 'Jubilee' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Watermelon 'Jubilee'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Watermelon 'Jubilee'
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-10; can be grown in zone 4 with warm-season timing
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Germination & Seedling
3-4 weeksSeeds sprout in 7-10 days with warm soil. Seedlings develop first true leaves and grow rapidly.
Keep soil warm (70-80°F). Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily. Thin seedlings to strongest. Harden off transplants over 7-10 days before field planting.
Vine Growth & Establishment
3-4 weeksPlants develop trailing vines with broad leaves and establish root system. No flowers yet.
Ensure consistent moisture and mulch around plants (2-3 inches straw). Provide balanced fertilizer every 3 weeks. Control weeds. Support vines with straw or plastic mulch to prevent rot.
Flowering
2-3 weeksSmall yellow flowers appear on vines. Male flowers appear first, then female flowers (with tiny fruit behind the bloom).
Reduce nitrogen, shift to higher phosphorus/potassium (10-20-20 ratio) to encourage fruiting. Ensure good pollinator access—bees are essential. Maintain consistent water.
Fruit Development & Growth
3-4 weeksFruits rapidly enlarge from pollinated female flowers. Fruits are initially pale green, gradually darkening with characteristic stripes.
Water deeply and consistently. Stop fertilizing once fruits reach 3-4 inches. Thin to 1-2 fruits per vine for larger, sweeter melons. Ensure fruits rest on straw to prevent rot. Monitor for pests.
Ripening & Harvest Readiness
1-2 weeksFruits reach full size (12-20 lbs), rind darkens fully, underside spot yellows, and fruit develops waxy bloom. Skin resists thumbnail puncture.
Reduce watering in final 7-10 days to concentrate sugars. Check ripeness using multiple indicators: hollow sound when thumped, creamy yellow field spot, dull (not shiny) appearance, brown tendril nearest fruit stem is dry.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Wrap base of stems with aluminum foil. Plant succession crops. Inject neem oil into stems at first damage signs. Remove infested sections and re-root healthy vines.
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Use row covers early. Spray neem oil or spinosad. Remove beetles by hand. Dust with diatomaceous earth.
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Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Spray sulfur or potassium bicarbonate at first sign. Remove heavily infected leaves.
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Avoid wetting foliage. Apply copper fungicide preventatively. Remove infected leaves immediately. Improve drainage and spacing.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil on undersides of leaves. Introduce parasitic wasps (Encarsia formosa).
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Spray with strong water stream. Use miticides (neem oil, sulfur). Ensure adequate humidity.
Uses
Fresh eating and summer desserts
CulinaryJubilee watermelon is renowned for its crisp, sweet red flesh and pleasant flavor ideal for fresh consumption straight from the field. The high water content and sugar concentration (10-12% Brix) make it perfect for chilled snacking, fruit salads, and summer beverages. [source]
Beverage and smoothie ingredient
CulinaryThe juice-rich flesh blends beautifully into refreshing watermelon waters, aguas frescas, smoothies, and cocktails. The natural sugars provide sweetness without additional additives. [source]
Hydration and nutritional supplementation
MedicinalWatermelon is 92% water and rich in lycopene (an antioxidant), vitamin C, and citrulline (which promotes blood circulation). It has been used traditionally to support cardiovascular health and kidney function. [source]
Seed consumption
CulinaryJubilee watermelon seeds are edible and contain valuable nutrients including magnesium, manganese, and zinc. They can be roasted and eaten as a snack or sprinkled on salads. [source]
Preservation and canning
HouseholdRind pickles, jams, and preserves have been made from watermelon for generations. The juice can be reduced into syrups or fermented into beverages. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Jubilee melons mature 75-90 days after planting. Harvest when: (1) the underside 'field spot' turns creamy yellow, (2) tendril nearest the fruit stem is brown and dry, (3) the melon sounds hollow when thumped, (4) the rind shows minimal shine and resists thumbnail puncture, (5) the melon has a pleasant, sweet aroma at the blossom end. Cut melons from vine with knife rather than pulling to avoid vine damage. Peak sweetness is at room temperature (70-75°F); refrigerate 1-2 hours before serving if desired. Ripe melons store 2-3 weeks at 50-60°F or 5-7 days at room temperature.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Jubilee was developed in the 1960s at the USDA research station in Charleston, South Carolina, and was specifically bred to compete with commercial Southern melons, becoming an immediate heirloom favorite among home gardeners.
- 🌱 The distinctive striped pattern on Jubilee's rind is not random—it's a result of selective breeding and serves as a ripeness indicator, with darker stripes indicating mature fruit.
- 🌱 Watermelons, including Jubilee, were valued in colonial America not just for eating fresh but for their seeds (used for oil) and rind (used for pickling, animal feed, and folk medicine), making them a true multi-use crop.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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