Watermelon

Basic Information

Seed Number

159

Seed Name

Watermelon

Variety

Sugar baby

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Cucurbitaceae

Plant Type

Icebox watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Apr 14

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 20

Plantable Months

April, May, June

Indoor Start

Apr 14 – Apr 28

Direct Sow

May 19 – Jun 20

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

3 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

5–10 days

Harvest/Maturity

75–85 days

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

70°F+

Planting Depth

1 in

Plant Spacing

36-60 in

Row Spacing

8 ft

Thin-To Spacing

36-60 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Water deeply but infrequently; maintain moisture during vine growth and fruit set; allow slight drying between waterings

Soil Preference

Fertile, well-drained soil

Minimum Container Size

10-15 gal with room for vines

Plant Height

10-20 in; trailing vines

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Bank on Seeds; Earl May; MSU Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors about 2 weeks early or direct sow after soil warms
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 20 – Jun 20
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 75–80 days
Container Friendly: Yes, very large 15–20+ gal container; support fruit if trellised
Pollinator Friendly: Yes; bees are essential for fruit set
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary fruit
Perennial?: No; annual
Succession / Reusable Notes: One main planting is usually enough; a second early-June sowing can extend harvest if space allows.
Zone 6B Notes: Sugar Baby's shorter maturity makes it a practical watermelon for Zone 6B.
Companion Plants: Radishes, nasturtiums, marigolds, dill, beans
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Avoid cold/wet soil. Watch cucumber beetles and mildew. Keep water steady while fruit develops; bees are needed for good fruit set.
Sources: Bank on Seeds: https://bankonseeds.com/pages/sugar-baby-watermelon-guide | Earl May: https://www.earlmay.com/sugar-baby-watermelon-seeds | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Sugar Baby is an early icebox watermelon well suited to shorter northern growing seasons. Plant outdoors only after frost danger and once soil reaches at least 70°F.
Germination: Start indoors up to 3-4 weeks before transplanting or direct sow 1 inch deep in warm soil.
Harvest: Fruits usually mature at about 8-12 pounds with dark green rind and sweet red flesh. Check the nearest tendril, ground spot and rind appearance for ripeness.
Seed Saving: Sugar Baby is an open-pollinated watermelon and can cross with other Citrullus lanatus varieties. Isolate or hand-pollinate for true seed.
Special Care: Its comparatively small fruit and compact growth make it more manageable in home gardens than large picnic watermelons.
Research Source: Urban Farmer — https://www.ufseeds.com/product/sugar-baby-watermelon-seeds---1%2F4-pound/WASB-1_4-pound.html — 75-85 day maturity, Citrullus lanatus identity, 8-12 pound fruit, full sun, 70°F minimum soil temperature, spacing and water guidance
Research Source: Urban Farmer — https://www.ufseeds.com/watermelon-seed-to-harvest.html — 1-inch sowing depth, planting after frost, indoor-start option and 75-day Sugar Baby reference
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]