FruitWatermelon
Nobility Watermelon
Nobility is an F1 hybrid watermelon bred to improve upon the classic picnic watermelon standard. In 90 to 99 days, this annual vine produces medium-sized melons with nearly black-green rinds and exceptionally firm, sweet flesh. Hardy across zones 3 to 13, it thrives in full sun and handles the heat and humidity of warm climates with remarkable resilience, even resisting the sunburn that plagues other varieties in intense growing conditions.
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
TypeVining
Spacing
36
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
High
Zones
3-13
Size
18in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The diploid (seeded) version of Triple Picnic, Nobility pairs the reliable growing habits of a heirloom picnic type with hybrid vigor and modern disease resistance. Its dark green rind is nearly sunburn-proof in warm, humid regions, a real advantage if you garden in a hot climate. The flesh is unusually firm and exceptionally sweet, delivering that perfect crisp, juicy bite that makes homegrown watermelon worth the wait.
Common Uses
Nobility is a picnic watermelon through and through, bred specifically for eating fresh from the garden or at outdoor gatherings. Slice it chilled on a summer afternoon, seed it out with your thumbs, and eat it straight from the rind. Its firm flesh stands up to cutting and serving, making it excellent for fruit platters, or simply halve it and scoop the flesh into a bowl.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds into warm soil after all frost danger has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant seeds in mounds or hills spaced 36 inches apart, with rows 120 inches apart. Sow seeds 1 inch deep.
Harvesting
Watermelons reach harvest maturity in 90 to 99 days from planting. Look for the characteristic yellow spot on the bottom of the melon where it rested on the ground; when this spot turns creamy or golden, the melon is ripe. Thump the melon with your knuckles, listening for a deep, hollow sound rather than a high-pitched tone. Gently squeeze the melon; ripe fruit yields very slightly but remains firm. Cut the stem with a sharp knife rather than twisting, leaving a short stub attached to the plant.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Citrullus lanatus
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Citrullus
Growth Habit
Vining
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)
History & Origin
“Nobility descends from the traditional picnic watermelon, a variety grown in American gardens for generations. As a modern F1 hybrid, it was developed by crossing two parent lines to retain the seeded character (diploid genetics) of the old standard while introducing hybrid vigor, improved firmness, and enhanced disease tolerance. This represents the bridge between heirloom reliability and contemporary breeding precision.”