Early Girl Watermelon is a Japanese micro melon that shatters the myth that watermelons need endless summer days. Reaching harvest in just 60 to 70 days, these compact plants produce 1- to 4-pound fruits with light green skin blushed in salmon-rose tones. The flesh inside is remarkably sweet and delicious, and the whole package was originally bred for the Japanese market where space is precious, making it equally brilliant for gardeners with modest plots, containers, or ambitions to grow melons in cooler climates.
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These aren't just small watermelons; they're architectural marvels for tight spaces. The plants stay impressively productive despite their compact size, and they'll sprawl across ground or climb a trellis with equal enthusiasm. Originally engineered for Japanese refrigerators, they've become beloved by home gardeners who want genuine watermelon flavor on their own terms, harvested at 60 to 70 days rather than the typical 80-plus day wait.
These compact watermelons are eaten fresh, chilled, and whole or in slices. The small size makes them perfect for individual servings or small family portions without the commitment of a conventional full-size watermelon. Their sweet flesh and manageable weight also make them ideal for farmers' markets where a complete, beautiful melon can be a statement piece.
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Direct sow seeds into warm soil after frost danger has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant in full sun for best results.
Watermelons are ready to harvest when the skin develops a matte finish and the underside (the spot touching the ground) transitions from white or pale green to a creamy yellow. Gently tap the melon; a ripe one will sound hollow and resonant rather than flat. At 60 to 70 days from planting, check plants regularly for ripe fruit. Cut the stem cleanly with a sharp knife rather than twisting.
Given the compact growth habit, minimal pruning is needed. Allow the vine to sprawl naturally along the ground or guide it up a trellis if vertical growing appeals to you. Remove any damaged or diseased leaves to maintain plant health.
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“Early Girl Watermelon carries the innovative spirit of post-war Japanese horticulture. At a time when space was at a premium in Japan, breeders developed these micro melons with a specific purpose: to produce full-flavored fruit compact enough to store in tiny refrigerators and small pantries. The variety, also known as Otome Watermelon, eventually made its way into the hands of seed savers and heirloom specialists in the West, where it has become prized for solving a genuinely modern problem: how to grow real watermelons when you don't have a sprawling garden.”