Organic Watermelon Sugar Baby – McKenzie Seeds
Citrullus lanatus
- Sweet and juicy fresh.
- Heirloom.
- Organic.
- Eat fresh or make small watermelon balls to use in fruit salad.
- 75-80 Days to Maturity.
- 5-7 days germination.
Sugar Baby is the most popular ‘Icebox’ type of watermelon. Fruits mature to be 18-20 cm (7-8″) in diameter and weigh 3.5-4.5 kg (8-10 lbs.) each. It is the perfect size for a family treat. The very sweet, crisp, red flesh is a delight. These smaller watermelons are perfect for smaller gardens.
2.5g. (Approx. 20-25 seeds)
Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Take care not to disturb roots when transplanting. Or, sow a few seeds over a hill 9 to 12 inches tall and 2 feet across. When the plants are 3 inches tall, thin by cutting to 3 plants per hill. Use a balanced fertilizer to increase yield.
Planting Depth: 2.5 cm (1″)
Seed Spacing: 5 to 6 per hill or 5 cm (2″)
Plantling Spacing: 3 per hill
Row Spacing: 1.5-1.8 m (5-6′)
Choose a site with good drainage, good air circulation, and full sun. They’re ready to harvest when the skin on the underside turns yellow and when a thump with knuckles produces a hollow sound.
Harvesting & Storage
Watermelons that are allowed to ripen on the vine have the best flavour so if possible protect plants from light frosts.
Check under the melon – if it has a yellow or light-coloured bottom, it should be ripe. If its stripes are found all around the melon it’s just not ready yet.
If you have a good ear, tap on the watermelon: if it sounds hollow, it’s ripe. Not hollow, unripe.
Companion Planting: Corn, radish
