Why You Should Grow ‘Sugar Baby’ Watermelon
- Small Fruits. Icebox watermelons, including ‘Sugar Baby’, earn their name from their small fruit, which weighs in at 6 to 15 pounds and measures 6 to 10 inches across.
- Sweet Bite. As the name suggests, ‘Sugar Baby’ serves a sweet bite. ...
- Compact Vines. ...
- Easy to Grow. ...
How big do sugar baby watermelons get?
Jun 29, 2020 · Sugar Baby melons are round “picnic” or “icebox” watermelons perfect for small families and as the name suggests, small enough to fit into the icebox. They weigh in at between 8 to 10 pounds and are 7-8 inches across.
How long does it take to grow a sugar baby melon?
Dec 15, 2018 · 'Sugar Baby' watermelon requires 60 to 90 warm days to produce ripe 10-pound melons. In frost-free climates, you can sow them outdoors in late February and March after the danger of frost has...
How do you know when Sugar Baby melons are ripe?
The small size of the fruits, and relatively short time to harvest, make Sugar Baby on of the easier varieties to cultivate. Sugar Baby melons typically do not exceed 10 pounds, with flavor red flesh and a light green rind with dark stripes. Seeds or Seedlings 3 to 5 days, 60F to 95F 4 years High Fertility Full Sun 12" apart 4' to 6' apart 65 to 86
Why do sugar baby watermelons have yellow blooms?
How Big Are Baby Watermelons Supposed to Get Before You Harvest Them? Baby Watermelon Cultivars. Several baby watermelon cultivars exist. ... Baby Weight. Baby watermelons vary in their mature weights. Though traditional watermelons grow to 25 pounds or more,... Maturity Time. However, "Sugar ...
How big is a sugar baby watermelon?
They weigh in at between 8 to 10 pounds and are 7-8 inches across. Click to see full answer.
How long does it take for sugar baby watermelon to grow?
Subsequently, one may also ask, how long does it take for sugar baby watermelons to grow? approximately 75 days. Also Know, how much space do watermelon plants need? Watermelons prefer a soil pH between 6 and 6.8. Growing the vines in raised rows, known as hills, ensures good drainage and will hold the sun's heat longer.
How to tell if a watermelon is ripe?
Pick it up: Big or small, the watermelon should feel heavy for its size. Look for the yellow spot: Watermelons develop a splotch where they rest on the ground. When this splotch is creamy yellow, it's ripe. Give it a thump: Tap the underbelly of the watermelon.
How long does a sugar baby watermelon vine grow?
This cultivar grows well in warm Mediterranean climates. Speaking of sugar baby watermelon vine length, it can spread out up to 4 meters (12 feet) or longer. Furthermore, each plant generates a few melons.
How long does it take for sugar baby watermelon to mature?
As an early-season cultivar, it reaches maturity about 75-80 days after seed germination. Moreover, growers cultivate sugar baby watermelon because it fits in the icebox or refrigerator. The variety is also called a picnic type. As the name indicates, it is suitable for smaller families.
What diseases can a sugar baby watermelon have?
Sugar baby watermelon crops may suffer from diseases such as powdery mildew, gummy stem blight, Alternaria leaf spot, and anthracnose. You also need to watch out certain pests like nematodes, spotted cucumber beetles, and melon aphids.
How to keep sugar baby watermelon moist?
Consistent moisture is seriously needed until your sugar baby watermelon has a tennis ball size. Then, water the plant when the growing soil is truly dry. Since the sugar baby cannot withstand drought, the soil must be kept moist yet not soggy. That way, the plant won’t get desiccated.
What is the best soil for sugar watermelon?
Furthermore, the pH level must be between 6.5 and 7.5. Light-textured or sandy soils are great for planting sugar baby watermelons because they are rapidly warm in spring. The ideal soil temperatures should be 70 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer.
How long can you keep watermelon?
When unrefrigerated, watermelons generally will store about 2-3 weeks. Place them in a cool, dark spot like a basement. After cutting sugar baby watermelon, you should store the unused portions in the refrigerator. In case there are extra melons on your hand, it’s advisable to dice the flesh and then freeze.
When will watermelon be available in 2021?
March 10, 2021. July 19, 2020. Nothing beats freshly picked melons on scorching summer days. If you are planning on growing those fruits, but have no idea what cultivar to attempt, sugar baby watermelon is such a good bet. Watermelon is not just a thirst quencher, but also provides a lot of nutrients. The fruit contains dietary fiber, copper, ...
How long does it take for sugar baby watermelon to mature?
Days to Maturity. 'Sugar Baby' watermelon requires 60 to 90 warm days to produce ripe 10-pound melons. In frost-free climates, you can sow them outdoors in late February and March after the danger of frost has passed and the soil warms to 70 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
What is sugar baby watermelon?
The 'Sugar Baby' watermelon 's (Citrullus lanatus 'Sugar Baby') smaller size and space requirements give gardeners with limited space a chance to enjoy the healthy summertime treat straight from their own garden. Anticipation of the watermelon's cool, red sweetness can challenge your patience and leave you anxiously asking how to tell ...
How to tell when a sugar baby watermelon is ready to pick?
Anticipation of the watermelon's cool, red sweetness can challenge your patience and leave you anxiously asking how to tell when your 'Sugar Baby' watermelon is ready to pick. In addition to counting the days from planting, signs of maturity include color, sound and the appearance of the tendrils.
When to start sugar baby seeds?
To extend the growing season, you can start the seeds indoors three to four weeks before last frost and transplant outdoors when daytime highs run between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime lows fall no lower than 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The 'Sugar Baby' variety generally reaches maturity in 80 days, so first harvest can fall as early as late ...
How to tell when a watermelon is ripe?
Knowing when a watermelon is ripe is something gardeners learn by experience, but the changing color is one of the most reliable indicators of maturity, according to the University of California, Davis, Agriculture and Natural Resources.The rind will change color from bright to dull green and become hard, resisting easy penetration. The watermelon's belly, where it touches the ground will turn from light green to cream or yellow. Watermelons ripen in the last two weeks of growth and will not continue to sweeten after picking, so watch carefully for the color change signs to determine the right time to pick.
How long does it take for sugar baby watermelon to grow?
Sugar Baby is an early season watermelon, coming to maturity approximately 75 days after germination. The small size of the fruits, and relatively short time to harvest, make Sugar Baby on of the easier varieties to cultivate.
How long does it take for watermelon seeds to germinate?
Keep the soil between 80-90 degrees, using a heat mat if necessary. Seed should begin to germinate within 3-10 days. Once seeds start to germinate, lower soil temp slightly to the mid 70s, for 1-2 weeks, also decreasing water.
How to tell when a watermelon is ripe?
If that portion of the watermelon is a pale yellow color, the melon should be ripe. You can also look at the tendrils (short, curly, stem-like vine) next to the melon. The tendrils are close to the area where a leaf is attached to the main vine.
Can you direct seed melons?
If you have long, hot growing seasons, melons can direct-seed into garden. To ensure ripening in areas with shorter growing seasons and cooler weather, choose fast-maturing varieties, start plants inside, use black or IRT plastic mulch to warm soil and use fabric row covers to protect plants.
How big do baby watermelon get?
Baby watermelons vary in their mature weights. Though traditional watermelons grow to 25 pounds or more, baby types usually max out around 6 to 10 pounds. “Sugar Baby” and “Yellow Baby” both fall into this range, although “Sugar Baby” may grow as large as 12 pounds or more. “Gold Baby” isn’t usually larger than 5 pounds, while “Tiger Baby” is usually between 7 and 8 pounds. “Baby Doll” can hit a considerably larger average of about 15 pounds.
How long does it take for a sugar baby to grow?
“Sugar Baby” and “Yellow Baby” may be ready for picking as early as 70 or 75 days after transplanting in the garden. However, "Sugar Baby" may also take considerably longer, depending on growing conditions and regional variations -- as long as 91 days in some cases. “Gold Baby” takes an average of 91 days to reach its target weight, while “Tiger Baby” takes 90. “Baby Doll” takes 89.
How big is a sugar baby watermelon?
1: Small Fruits. Icebox watermelons, including ‘Sugar Baby’, earn their name from their small fruit, which weighs in at 6 to 15 pounds and measures 6 to 10 inches across. Where full-size watermelons need a cool basement, spring house or walk-in cooler for storage, icebox watermelons fit easily into a standard fridge or picnic hamper.
How long does it take for sugar baby watermelon to grow?
The trickiest part of growing ‘Sugar Baby’ watermelon is knowing when fruits are ready to pick. With most watermelons, it usually takes 5 weeks from flower to ripe fruit. The clues to watch for are a brown tendril and yellow ground spot.
How many feet does an Icebox Melon vine spread?
Icebox melon vines typically spread 6 to 8 feet—compared to a 12- to 19-foot run for full-size watermelons. The yield per vine depends heavily on the variety (and also on growing conditions). ‘Sugar Baby’ produces anywhere from two to five melons per vine.
What is the best icebox melons?
One of the best known icebox melons is ‘Sugar Baby’ . This heirloom watermelon was introduced in 1956 and has been earning fans ever since. ‘Sugar Baby’ Watermelon Slice. Introduced in 1956, ‘Sugar Baby’ watermelon is a type of icebox or picnic watermelon. It produces small fruits that are 7 to 8 inches across—just the right size for fitting in ...
How long does it take for a sugar baby to ripen?
Red flesh has a high brix value, which measures sugar content. Like many icebox types, ‘Sugar Baby’ ripens 8- to 12-pound fruits in 75 days ( compared to 120 days for a full-size watermelon). Even though fruits are small, they’re packed with full-size flavor and sweetness.
What is sugar baby?
As the name suggests, ‘Sugar Baby’ serves a sweet bite. Its brix value, which measures total sugar concentration in the flesh, falls around 10.2 (10 percent). That sweetness is similar to a ripe mango or tomato. Brix varies greatly depending on growing conditions. If you’re able to withhold water for at least a week before harvesting a watermelon, that concentrates the sugars and enhances sweetness.
How to grow watermelon in a garden?
These are heat-loving plants, so wait to plant until soil is warm (minimum 70 F). In short growing season regions, cover soil with black plastic prior to planting to speed warming.
