Bradford Watermelons in Bradford County

I have a lot of hope wrapped up in these delicately stamped little watermelon seeds.

A year ago I heard about the Bradford Watermelons from South Carolina. The story goes that they were once one of the best watermelons in the south. Intensely sweet and a rind that cut with a butter knife. The advent of rail and road transportation for produce made them almost obsolete due to their likely occurrence to smash during transit. However, the Bradford family continued to grow them and they exist today. Interest in local food and southern food culture have given the Bradford Watermelon a second chance. It is my understanding that they are being used in fine restaurants in South Carolina and a Charleston distillery is making spirits from them.

Upon hearing about them, having a desire for a great watermelon, I immediately inquired how to buy seeds. Graciously, the Bradford family sells their seeds for gardeners but at a price too high to plant very many watermelons. So, I have ordered one small package of 12 seeds. I am going to attempt to establish plants and then I will grow some in my garden and Jesse will grow some in his and hopefully between the two of us we can turn out enough beautiful melons to have enough seed to really grow some next year. I don't have a greenhouse, so I am starting them in 2 liter plastic bottles as suggested by Lyle Baker of facebook Home Vegetable Gardening and Pig's Plants fame. I'm imagining carefully driving a truck load of Bradford Watermelons out of Bradford County to our local urban areas to sell to our friends for their delight on a hot summer day. I'm also imaging locally made watermelon wine shared among friends. Slices of watermelon on salads. Snacking on watermelon at a barbeque of one of our hogs or at a farm tour. The possibilities are all delicious!