Northern Glow — an early-maturing watermelon variety characterized by uniform fruit ripening within 62-75 days from emergence to technical maturity. The plant is tall, vigorous, and robust, with dense foliage that actively spreads on light, warmed soils. The vegetative period from transplanting to ripening lasts approximately 70-75 days. The variety is sensitive to frost, cold spells, and prolonged wetness, so it is recommended to plant it after the frost danger has passed, typically from May 18 to May 25. For optimal results, it is advisable to maintain proper irrigation and apply fertilizers to promote larger fruit formation.
The fruits of the watermelon Northern Glow have a round shape, dark green thin-skinned rind without a distinct pattern, and weigh between 2.5 to 3 kg. The flesh is bright pink, tender, crisp, juicy, very sweet, and aromatic, with a high sugar content. Thanks to its excellent taste and market appearance, the fruits retain their appeal both in field conditions and during extended storage, making them ideal for sale at markets during the main season. This variety is also suitable for fresh consumption and pickling.
For cultivation, seeds are sown in April, pre-soaked to promote germination, and then transplanted into peat pots measuring 10x10 cm. The row spacing at planting is 1.8 m, and the spacing between plants within rows is 1.4-1.8 m, allowing two plants per location. On seedlings, it is recommended to leave 6-7 fruit settings, and to pinch the stems above the fruit at the 3rd-4th leaf node to promote better fruit development. The variety is high-yielding and well-adapted to various agronomic conditions, cultivated in Ukraine and Moldova.
