General Information about Seeds
All descriptions on the website, including number of days to maturity, are based on data from varietal trials conducted in specific locations. Many factors, including geographic location, daytime and nighttime temperatures, the availability of plant nutrients, as well as many unknown environmental factors interact to determine a variety's performance.
For information on which varieties will perform best in your area, we recommend that you contact your local agricultural extension agent.
NOTE: Unless otherwise requested, all vine seed and some vegetable seed will be treated with Thiram Fungicide (Arasan), subject to stock, size of order and time of order.
Special Information about Watermelons
Watermelons ordinarily are planted early in cold soils. The young seedlings emerge over a longer period of time (up to three weeks) than those of most other crops. One may plant beans, peas, sweet corn, radishes, lettuce, squash, etc and obtain an instant good stand but you don't do this very often with melons especially when planted by hand. Even under good conditions, it sometimes is difficult to get a good stand of melons.
Good quality melons are firm, fresh and attractive in appearance with good color. Color may vary from deep solid green to gray, depending on the variety. Mature melons will have a dull rather than a shiny surface and the underside of the ripe melon will be yellowish in color or beginning to turn from a white or pale green to light yellow. The flesh of a cut ripe watermelon should have a fresh, firm texture and bright color. Sweetness is largely dependent on variety. Click here for our special watermelon recipes.
Willhite Newsletter Archive
From garden railroads to indoor orchids to zinnias, we've gathered hundreds of our favorite, feature-length National Gardening Association articles.
Seed Planting Guide
Click on the link above to find a great guide to proper seeding or transplanting information including distances between rows, depth, how much seed and how long to germination for most types of vegetable seeds.
Sweet Corn Types
Normal sugary (SU) corn is the standard corn grown for processing and the fresh market. The seed germinates well at 55°-60°F.
Sugary enhanced (SE) corn results in slightly increased sugar levels and slower conversion of sugars to starch after harvest. Kernels are very tender with good "corn" flavor. Seed germinates well at temperatures of 55°-60°F.
Supersweet or shrunken-2 (SH2) corn produces kernels with two to three times the complex sugars of the standard corn varieties. Texture is crispy rather than creamy as with the normal and sugary enhanced varieties. Fresh market shelf life is extended due to the ability of the kernels to retain moisture and sweetness. Seeds are smaller, lighter in weight, and shrunken in appearance (giving the genetic type the name "shrunken").
Food Gardening Guide
This link is a great source for information on growing your favorite vegetables,
fruits, and herbs.
Whether you're growing basil, blueberries, or bok choy, the Food
Gardening Guide will give you all the information you need to
succeed. Plus, we'll feature a vegetable, fruit, or herb monthly
on this page with seasonal articles about that plant.
NGA's Weekly Editor's Picks
