FruitWatermelon
AU Producer Watermelon
AU Producer Watermelon is a seeded picnic watermelon bred in Alabama in 1982 as an improved successor to the classic Crimson Sweet. It delivers sweeter, more productive fruit than its parent variety, with blocky, round melons averaging 25 to 30 pounds and a brilliant red flesh that stores and travels remarkably well. Ready to harvest in 80 to 89 days, this open-pollinated heirloom thrives in zones 3 through 13 with full sun and consistent water, reaching a manageable 12 to 18 inches tall with a 36-inch spacing between plants.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
High
Soil
Well-drained, Sandy Loam, Fertile
Growth Stats
18 in
Height
Spacing
36
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
High
Zones
3-13
Size
18in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
Born from Alabama breeding expertise in the early 1980s, AU Producer stands out for delivering noticeably sweeter fruit than Crimson Sweet while maintaining stronger productivity and better storage quality. The blocky round shape and 25 to 30-pound size make these melons the perfect picnic watermelon, fitting comfortably in a cooler while rewarding you with bright red flesh that tastes as good on day one as it does a week later. This is heirloom heat-tolerant genetics refined for real gardeners, not a novelty variety.
Common Uses
AU Producer is a genuine picnic watermelon, the kind you slice and serve chilled at summer gatherings. The moderate size and excellent transportability make it ideal for taking to potlucks and family events without requiring the heavy lifting of a 40-pound giant. The seeded fruit, bright red flesh, and strong storage life mean you can harvest at peak ripeness and enjoy it for days without quality loss.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 3 to 4 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow into warm seed-starting mix and maintain soil temperature between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination. Transplant seedlings into larger pots once they develop true leaves and have hardened off gradually to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors only after the last frost has passed and soil temperature has warmed to at least 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants 36 inches apart in full sun. Handle transplants gently to avoid root damage, and water immediately after planting.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed to 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Plant seeds 1 inch deep and water gently. Thin seedlings to 36 inches apart once they develop their first true leaves.
Harvesting
AU Producer melons typically mature in 80 to 89 days from transplanting or direct sowing. Harvest when the bottom spot where the melon rests on soil turns from white or pale green to a creamy yellow, and when the melon feels heavy for its size with a dull (not shiny) skin. The melon should give slightly when pressed at the blossom end but remain firm overall. Cut or carefully break melons from the vine rather than twisting to avoid damage. Store harvested melons at room temperature for several days, or refrigerate for extended keeping.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Citrullus lanatus
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Citrullus
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)
History & Origin
“AU Producer emerged from breeding work conducted at Auburn University in Alabama during 1982, conceived specifically to improve upon the widely beloved Crimson Sweet. Rather than chasing novelty, the breeders focused on practical gains: sweeter flavor and better yields while preserving the picnic-friendly size and outstanding storage characteristics that made Crimson Sweet an American staple. The result is an open-pollinated heirloom that carries forward decades of regional agricultural expertise and remains true to seed, allowing gardeners to save seed year after year.”