WaterMelon – Sugar Baby

Water Melon Sugar Baby

Water Melon Sugar Babe. Sweet tasting and smaller fruited “Ice Box” type watermelon. Early and very productive with sweet, juicy, fine-textured, medium-red flesh and thin hard rind. The round, 8 to 12 lb, dark green skinned melons grow 8 inches across. Ideal variety if space is limited, as this can be trailed on trellises and faster to ripen in short summers. Drought Resistant. Ready to harvest about 75 days after seeding in favourable conditions. Can be grown outside in a warm, sheltered and sunny location, but for the most reliable crops under glass is best.

Cultivation advice Water Melon Sugar Baby

Days to Germination: 5-7

Days To Harvest: 75 in warm conditions

Planting Depth: 1/2 to 1 inch

Spacing: 2 feet

Light: Sunny, Warm, Sheltered Location

Prepare soil by digging and incorporating liberal amounts of well-rotted compost or farmyard manure over-winter. Watermelons thrive in a sunny, warm location
Sow April to May 1cm (½in) deep, in 7cm (3.5in) pots of free-draining seed sowing mix. Place in a (propagator, airing cupboard) and keep at a temperature of around 20-25C (68-77F) until after germination, usually 5-7 days.
When first true leaves develop, transplant into 13cm (5in) pots for a few weeks.
Plant out 24 inches apart after carefully hardening off after all risk of frost in a warm sheltered position in full sun or for a more reliable crop under glass.
Water regularly and feed with liquid fertilizer every 14 days.
Pinch out growing point at the 4 leaf stage and train the laterals (side-shoots) along the row. Hand pollinate if required.
At harvest time, tap the watermelon with your knuckles, and if it sounds hollow, it’s ripe.