Shiny Boy Watermelon

Direct sow seeds into warm soil after the last frost date has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (ideally 70 degrees or warmer). Plant seeds one-half to one inch deep, spacing them 12 to 18 inches apart initially, then thin seedlings to the 36-inch spacing once they develop true leaves.

Harvest melons when they reach full maturity at 90 to 99 days from planting. Look for these visual cues: a deep, rich green color with contrasting stripes, a cream or pale yellow spot where the melon rested on the ground (rather than white or green), a dull rather than shiny appearance on the surface (despite the variety name, mature melons lose their initial polish), and a slight give when pressed gently at the blossom end. The tendril closest to the melon's stem will dry and brown when ripe. Harvest by cutting the stem with a sharp knife rather than pulling, leaving about one inch of stem attached to the fruit.

Shiny Boy's vining growth habit does not typically require pruning for fruit production. However, you can lightly manage wayward vines to keep them within a designated garden area or away from pathways; pinching off growing tips on non-fruiting secondary vines can redirect energy toward main stems bearing fruit.