If you are looking for a delicious and one-of-a-kind watermelon variety you can grow in your own backyard, look no further than the Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon! This delectable and standout beauty of a watermelon is popular with growers in both warm and cold climates, and it makes for a tasty addition to any garden.
Read on to learn all you need to know about the Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon, including where to source seeds, how to grow them so they thrive, and so much more.
Characteristics of Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon
The Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon is truly a watermelon unlike any other! This lovely watermelon variety is thought to have originated in Russia and was brought over to Canada at the turn of the century. It is characterized by the flesh color that sets it apart from its watermelon contemporaries.
Unlike most watermelon types you may be familiar with, which have flesh ranging from pale pink to a deep red, the Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon has pale flesh instead!
The interior of Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon will typically range from creamy white to pale yellow in color, with black seeds that truly stand out against the light flesh. The texture of the flesh itself is remarkably crisp, and the watermelon’s flavor is quite sweet even compared to other types of watermelon. As far as the rind goes, the Cream of Saskatchewan boasts an exceptionally thin and bright green rind, with dark green stripes.
A fully mature Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon will usually range in size from 5 to 10 pounds (though some have grown as large as 20 pounds!) and will be about 10 inches in diameter. The Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon plant, meanwhile, will grow about 3 to 5 watermelons per vine and can resist cold better than some other watermelon plants, making it a favorite for watermelon growers in cooler, northern climates.
Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon Specific
Eating Them
Don’t let this watermelon’s uncanny appearance make you doubt its delicious and versatile uses. The Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, just like any other watermelon!
Besides its comparatively pale flesh, the most noteworthy trait of the Cream of Saskatchewan is undoubtedly its flavor. Many a watermelon grower has been taken by surprise by this watermelon’s delectably sweet and powerful flavor profile. In fact, this might arguably be one of the tastiest watermelon varieties out there!
Because of this, it likely comes as no surprise that the Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon is most often enjoyed raw, as a snack. However, this watermelon’s crisp texture also makes it ideal for a summer smoothie, where it can be included either freshly cut or after freezing to serve as an ice complement or replacement. It can also be enjoyed in fruit salads, as a garnish to certain beverages, and more.
Due to its sweet and robust flavoring, as well as its great texture, the Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon can also be a great fruit for kiddos of all ages to enjoy. It can help expand the palates and texture profiles of babies who are learning their way around solids, too. Just make sure to remove the black seeds ahead of time when feeding to babies and toddlers in order to avoid any choking hazards.
Health Benefits
The Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon shares many of the same health benefits as other watermelon varieties. This includes a high nutrient profile, being rich in Vitamins A, B, and C, as well as in potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants.
These vital nutrients help to support the body in a vast array of ways. Some of these include boosting the immune system, counteracting free radicals that can cause inflammation throughout the body, lowering blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels, and much, much more.
Growing At Home
As long as you have some space to let the plant spread out its vines, the Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon is an ideal watermelon variety for growing at home!
This plant will typically grow to be only about 6 to 12 inches high, but the vines it spreads out can reach a whopping 8 to 10 feet! For this reason, each individual Cream of Saskatchewan plant should be given at least 6 feet of space between each other, and 10 feet between them and any other plants in your garden.
If you are planning to start your Cream of Saskatchewan plants before the final threat of frost has ended, then you can plant your watermelon seeds in 3-or 4-inch diameter pots at about 1 inch deep. Do this 3 to 5 weeks before the typical final threat of frost has faded in order to keep them within the usual growing season range.
Once the outdoor soil temperature has reached a steady range of 70 degrees or above, you may directly sow seeds or transplant your young Cream of Saskatchewan plants outdoors. Be sure to plant them in full sun and in soil that is composted, sandy, and drains well, with a pH balance in the range of 6.3 to 6.5.
Your plants will require moderate watering, as most watermelon plants do. It is recommended to water with a soaker hose near the base of the plant in order to avoid too much water on the leaves. Wet leaves can lead to mildew and fungal diseases, to which many watermelon plants are prone.
When harvesting time rolls around, look for a pale patch on the underside of the watermelons for an indication of ripeness. You can also thump the rind gently and listen for a dull sound, indicating maturity, or wait for the tendril nearest to the watermelon stem to shrivel. All of these factors can indicate full ripeness.
Once you pick your Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon, it is best to consume it within a few days to a week.
Where To Buy The Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon
You may be able to find some Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon seeds sourced at your local nursery, lawn and garden center, or even grocery store. If you are looking to source your seeds online, you can find some organic Cream of Saskatchewan seeds available from distributor Stonysoil Seed Company via Amazon.
Wrapping Up Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon
Excited to grow the unique and delicious Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon in your own garden? Make sure you are prepared ahead of time by checking out our Watermelon Plants page. Here you’ll find tips for growing watermelons, caring for them, harvesting them, and everything else you need to know to help your Cream of Saskatchewan plant truly thrive.
- About the Author
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Renee Dugan is a lifelong writer, professional editor, and lover of all things nature, gardening and the big outdoors.
A Midwest girl who’s been in the garden since she could first hold a hand trowel, Renee’s love of growing things has bloomed into a passion for healthy living, holistic lifestyle, and knowing where our food comes from.
Now a mother and maturing gardener herself, Renee is passionate about channeling everything she knows and continues to learn about gardening into lessons for her son and others. Her excitement for sharing this knowledge is only superseded by her excitement about being able to finally grow her own citrus plants in pots.
Renee can be reached at renee.s.dugan@gmail.com