Sweet Beauty Watermelon

Transplant Sweet Beauty Watermelon into the garden once soil temperatures have warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit and all danger of frost has passed in your hardiness zone. Space plants 36 inches apart in rows 72 inches apart, allowing plenty of room for vines to sprawl and receive full sun exposure.

Direct sow seeds into warm soil (70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit) once all frost danger has passed. Sow in the location where vines will grow, as watermelons prefer minimal transplant disturbance.

Harvest when the tendril closest to the fruit stem dries and turns brown, or when the underside (bottom) of the fruit develops a creamy yellow color. Gently lift the melon; ripe fruit should feel heavy for its size with a slight give when pressed gently at the blossom end. Pick in the cool morning hours and chill quickly. Remember that watermelons will not ripen further once picked from the vine, so wait for full maturity before harvesting.

Sweet Beauty's spreading vines benefit from managed growth. As vines extend, you can gently guide them along the ground or onto trellises to maximize space and improve air circulation. Pinching back excessive vine growth after fruit has set encourages energy to focus on ripening rather than creating more foliage.