FruitWatermelon
Bush Sugar Baby Watermelon
Bush
Bush Sugar Baby Watermelon is a compact, early-maturing icebox watermelon that proves you don't need sprawling vines to grow delicious melons. This heirloom, open-pollinated variety reaches maturity in just 75 days and produces two 12-pound melons per plant on vines that stay under 4 feet long, making it ideal for gardeners working with limited space, yet the flavor and quality are nothing short of exceptional. Hardy across zones 3-13, it thrives in full sun and adapts beautifully to both in-ground gardens and containers, delivering the sweet red, firm flesh that made Sugar Baby a beloved variety in the first place.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/organic-bush-sugar-baby-watermelon)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
High
Soil
Well-drained, Sandy Loam, Fertile
Preferred Temp75-90°F
Growth Stats
18 in
Height
PeriodAnnual
TypeBush
Spacing
36 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
High
Zones
3-13
Size
18in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
What sets Bush Sugar Baby apart is its remarkable restraint combined with zero compromise on yield. The compact vines, only 3 to 4 feet long, mean you can tuck this melon into a small garden bed or even a large container, yet each plant still bears two full melons averaging 12 pounds each. The striking appearance alone is worth growing for: a deep blue-black skin with light striping and a beautiful contrast between the dark exterior and sweet red flesh inside. This is an heirloom, heat-tolerant, seeded variety with the early maturity of a modern cultivar and the flavor integrity of open-pollinated genetics.
Common Uses
Bush Sugar Baby melons are perfect for fresh eating straight from the garden, sliced and served chilled as a summer dessert or light refreshment. The manageable 12-pound size makes them ideal for households and small families who want homegrown watermelon without waste. Their firm, sweet red flesh is excellent for fruit salads and, because they're seeded melons with good structural integrity, they hold up well to scooping and presentation.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Summer
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds into warm soil after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 70°F. Plant seeds at the appropriate depth and thin seedlings once they've established their first true leaves.
Harvesting
Harvest when melons reach approximately 12 pounds and the skin darkens to a deep blue-black color with light striping. Check for maturity by pressing the melon gently, a ripe melon will have a slight give but still feel firm. The underside will develop a creamy yellow or tan spot where it rested on the ground. Cut or carefully snap the melon from the vine when fully mature, typically around 75 days from planting.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
6 – 7
Scientific Classification
Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai var. lanatus
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Citrullus
Duration
Annual
Growth Habit
Vine, Forb/herb
Native Status
L48 (I)VI (I)