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Watermelon, Sugar Baby

— · Texas-Grown

Watermelon, Sugar Baby

$4.00

Sugar Baby Watermelon is a classic icebox-type watermelon producing round, 8-10 lb fruits with deep green rinds and sweet, red flesh. Its compact vines are well-suited to home gardens, and its short maturity (approximately 75-80 days) makes it one of the most popular watermelons for Central Texas where the season between cool nights and extreme heat can be short.

At Flying Rabbit Farm, our Sugar Baby transplants are grown for vigorous vines and reliable fruit set suited to Austin’s summer growing conditions.

Care Instructions
Watering
Consistent, deep watering required during fruit development Reduce watering as fruits approach maturity to concentrate sweetness Avoid overhead watering; use drip or soaker hose
Fertilizing
High nitrogen at planting; transition to low nitrogen, high potassium at flowering Side-dress with compost tea or balanced organic fertilizer every 3-4 weeks
Pruning & Maintenance
Train vines away from walkways Limit fruits to 2-3 per vine for best size and quality Remove male flowers early if vine growth needs priority
Common Issues
Squash vine borers Cucumber beetles Powdery mildew Blossom end rot from inconsistent watering Anthracnose
Start transplanting as soon as soil temperatures reach 70 F (mid-March) for maximum growing season Use drip irrigation to reduce foliage disease and water waste Place fruits on cardboard or straw to prevent ground rot Tap fruits; a hollow thud indicates ripeness
Seasonal Notes
Spring
Primary planting window; establish vines before summer heat peaks Focus on vine establishment for first 3-4 weeks
Summer
Fruit development; consistent moisture critical Harvest approximately 75-80 days from transplant
Fall
A second planting in late July-early August may be possible in Austin Heat and drought stress can affect fruit set in second plantings
Best Time to Plant in Austin
Mid-March through early May after last frost Ideal soil temperatures: 70-85 F
Sun Requirements
Full sun Minimum 8 hours daily
Spacing
3-5 feet apart; rows 6-8 feet apart Compact vines for a watermelon but still need room to spread
Soil
Well-draining, fertile, sandy loam Heavy clay soils should be amended with compost and coarse sand pH 6.0-6.8
Watering After Planting
Water deeply immediately after transplanting Maintain consistent moisture through vine establishment and fruit development
Nasturtiums Marigolds Corn Sunflowers Radish Borage Dill Oregano
Watermelon flesh is generally considered non-toxic to: Dogs Cats However: Seeds and rind can cause gastrointestinal blockage or upset. Feed only seedless flesh in small quantities as an occasional treat.

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