Melon – Sugar Baby Watermelon

Marketed since the late 1950s, the Sugar Baby watermelon variety has pink, orange-red flesh and few seeds. Its hard, thin green rind turns very dark, almost black, as it ripens. The sweet, juicy fruits weigh 3 to 4 kg (6 to 10 lb) and measure about 15 to cm (6 to 7 in) in diameter.

Growing tips

Conditions of germination:

depth of sowing: 1.5 cm

optimal temperatures of germination: 25 to 30ºC

time for germination: 5 to 10 days

When to sow:

indoor sowing 4 to 6 weeks before the last date in your area OR

direct sowing after any risk of frost, when the soil is warm (16ºC and more)

Sowing technique: in pocket

Inside the same hole, sow 3 to 5 seeds spaced 1 to 2 cm apart; when the seeds have germinated and the seedlings have reached a height of 5 cm, keep all the plants if space is available or keep only the best plants.

for indoor seedlings: transplant into individual containers while waiting for transplanting in the garden OR

for direct seedlings: transplant to their final location in the garden

Transplanting outdoors (for seedlings started indoors):

When all risk of frost is removed and the air is warmed

Distance in the garden:

between plants: 60 cm

between rows: 90 to 120 cm

Height of the plants: 40 cm

Plant length: 180 to 240 cm

Soil: rich and well drained

Exposure: full sun

Maturation (after transplanting): 85 days

Specificities: Sow in biodegradable peat cups to avoid disturbing the roots when transplanting;

As melons like warm summers, for best results, grow them sheltered from wind and cold or under cover (bell, greenhouse or plastic tunnel).

QUICK STATS

Number of seeds: ±50

Difficulty: Hard

Type: Heirloom / Open pollinated

Lifecycle:Annual

Additional information

Weight            4 g

Difficulty         

Hard

Sowing          

Direct, Indoor

Lifecycle        

Annual

Root cellar     

No

Sowing season        

Spring