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Stewardship report
The ‘ Halbert Honey ’ watermelon is obscure green and stretch with tan - white tipped seeded player , pink flesh , and a slender , somewhat delicate rind . Known a century ago as one of the best Citrullus vulgaris varieties on the market , ‘ Halbert Honey ’ has a sweet flavor with a frizzy juicy texture .
Keep reading to learn the narrative behind ‘ Halbert Honey ’ and how this historic mixed bag come to be at Seed Savers Exchange .
The History of the ‘Halbert Honey’ Watermelon
This historical variety of watermelon was developed by Mr. H.A. Halbert of Texas and introduced in 1902 by the W. Atlee Burpee source theater . That yr , the Burpee catalog described it as “ new to the cosmopolitan world ” and as a selection by Mr. H. A. Halbert of Texas “ who plant for his rest home trade thirty acres of this original dearie of his , each time of year … ”
Many seed houses encourage it as one of the dear motley for the home garden . Thirty years after its introduction , the Steckler Seed Co. of New Orleans still shout out it “ one of the in force try out melons on the grocery , a darling . ”
Despite its southerly origin , ‘ Halbert Honey ’ is an early maturing watermelon and became popular with Northern nurseryman . In a 1907 Report of Ontario Agricultural Stations , E.E. Adams , from the Essex Vegetable Station , write , “ Halbert Honey watermelon is about the good for home use , while Kleckley Sweets are about adequate to them . Peerless and Fordhook Early are also good other varieties ” .
unluckily , this o.k. watermelon dropped out of the U.S. ejaculate trade by 1987 .
In 2013 , former SSE conservator Glenn Drowns of Sandhill Preservation Center reintroduce Halbert Honey . He get his version from foresightful - time SSE member Virgil Johnson many old age ago . We are pleased to bring together Glenn in the renovation of this historic variety .
‘Halbert Honey’ at Seed Savers Exchange
SSE ’s version of ‘ Halbert Honey ’ insert the Collection in 2012 . We brought it in from the USDA ( PI 635600 ) because SSE ’s existing Halbert Honey variety show did not match historic description . An SSE member who requested our original ‘ Halbert Honey ’ from the Yearbook Exchange first alerted us to this problem in 2011 .
USDA obtained their ‘ Halbert Honey ’ in 1961 from Seed Research Specialists . We have carefully compared this USDA version to historic descriptions and prototype of ‘ Halbert Honey ’ , and we sense that it is an exact friction match .
Where to Find ‘Halbert Honey’ Watermelon Seeds
Although this watermelon is not currently available through SSE ’s commercial catalogue , you may find our listing for ‘ Halbert Honey ’ onthe Exchange , our gratuitous on-line gardener - to - nurseryman seed barter . Simply make a free account , and you will be able-bodied to bespeak ‘ Halbert Honey ’ seeded player and thousands of other kind for only the cost of postage stamp !
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Put ‘Halbert Honey’ Watermelon on the Dinner Table!
Like all Citrullus vulgaris , this is best eaten unfermented . Serve chilled slice or cut it up into a salad with tomatoes and feta cheese .
How to Grow ‘Halbert Honey’ Watermelon
Watermelon can be straight seeded into the filth after the last outpouring frost . you may also start plants indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last frost engagement .
If you are direct seeding , plant in group of 2 - 3 seeds and keep the tidy flora that matures . distance your plants or seed 12 - 18 inches apart and plant 1/2 - 1 in . cryptical .
Make certain that your grease is well fertilized as this harvest is a laboured tributary and submit a lot of nutrients from the soil . Consider adding compost to the soil the yr before you establish . Watermelon prefer sandy or clear - textured soil .
These plant prefer warm weather and soil so they should be grown when temperatures are over 68 degrees F. You should avoid watering them from above as damp leaves may be susceptible to disease .
Learn How to originate and Save Watermelon Seeds
in the beginning print December 22 , 2015 . update March 27 , 2025 .
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