Sugar Baby Watermelon

Sow indoors in biodegradable pots (2 to 3 inches) 4 weeks before your transplant date, planting 2 seeds per pot about 1/2 to 1 inch deep. Maintain soil temperature between 80°F and 90°F until germination, then reduce to 75°F for seedling growth. Handle young plants carefully as roots are sensitive to disturbance. One week before transplanting, reduce water and temperature to harden seedlings. Never allow soil to dry out.

Transplant when weather is frost-free, warm, and settled, spacing plants 2 to 3 feet apart in rows 6 to 8 feet apart. Soil temperature should be at least 60°F and ideally 70°F or warmer. Plant directly from biodegradable pots to minimize root disturbance. Consider using row covers for earlier crops and better yields, especially in the North, removing covers when female flowers appear.

Direct sow 2 weeks after the threat of frost has passed, when soil temperature reaches 70°F to 90°F. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep and thin to 1 plant per mound when seedlings show 3 leaves.

Sugar Baby melons are ready to harvest when the tendril closest to the fruit dries and turns brown, or when the spot where the fruit rests on the ground turns yellow. Because these melons have a thin rind, check frequently once they reach the size of a soccer ball, as they're susceptible to cracking when fully ripe. Harvest in the cool of the day and chill quickly. Remember that watermelons will not ripen off the vine, so wait for full maturity before picking.