Scientific Name: Citrullus lanatus

Common Name: Sugarbaby Watermelon

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Origin

Sugarbaby is a heirloom watermelon variety that was bred during the 1950s in the USA.

Growing Tips

Watermelons will grow, produce and ripen best when planted in a full sun location.  Watermelons should be planted in a free-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter.  If your garden is lacking in organic matter place down a layer of compost or well-rotted manure prior to planting.  Watermelons require a lot of nitrogen for healthy growth, you should top dress around plants with a nitrogen-rich organic fertiliser such as blood and bone at least twice during their growing season.  Watermelons require consistent moisture especially as the fruit are developing.  Watermelon plants that are not sufficiency watered will produce fruit that are flavourless, spongy and pale inside.  Because it produces smaller, lighter fruit the sugarbaby watermelon variety can be grown off the ground on a sturdy trellis.  Growing watermelon on a trellis this way will increase airflow around the leaves which can reduce fungal issues such as powdery mildew and keep the fruits off the ground where they are less likely to be damaged by pests.

When to Sow

In temperate and subtropical areas of Australia sow sugarbaby watermelon seeds from mid Spring through to early Summer.  In tropical areas of Australia sow sugarbaby watermelon seeds during the dry season, from mid Autumn to mid Winter is best.  In cold and mountainous regions of Australia you should avoid planting watermelons as it's unlikely that you'll have a long enough growing season for the fruit to ripen fully.

How to Sow

Sow sugarbaby watermelon seeds 2cm deep spacing plants about 1.5m apart to give their stems and roots sufficient room to expand.  Watermelons need plenty of space, if they are overcrowded they'll have stunted growth and be unlikely to produce fruit.  To improve drainage when planting watermelon seeds or starts plant them into a mound of soil.  Sow several watermelon seeds per mound and thin to the healthiest seedlings after a few weeks growth for maximum plant vigour.

Germination Time

Watermelon seeds are relatively quick to germinate with most seedlings emerging 7 to 14 days after sowing.

Time to Harvest

Sugarbaby watermelons produce smaller fruit that will ripen quicker than larger varieties and therefore you'll be able to harvest them much sooner, in as little as 10 to 13 weeks after sowing.  You can tell when watermelons are ready by checking the pale spot on their underside that is in contact with the ground, it changes from a greenish-white to a yellowish-cream colour when ripe.  When tapped ripe watermelons will also make a dull thud while unripe fruit will sound sharper and ring out for longer.