Sugar Baby
Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus
Round fruits, 6-8" in diameter, averaging 8-10 lb. Ripe melons are almost black. Good flavor. Tough rinds resist cracking. The standard of "icebox" melons for many years. Avg. 1-2 fruits/plant.
Harvest
76d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
4–11
USDA hardiness
Height
4-8 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Sugar Baby in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 vine →Zone Map
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Sugar Baby · Zones 4–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: #yellow flowers#showy fruits#vegetable garden#edible fruits#edible garden#fruits summer#vine#warm season vegetable#edible#annual#early childhood#child#children#preschool#early care#easy edibles#hortcontest. Soil: Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: SIT-troo-lus la-NAY-tus. Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.. Spread: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The plant produces melons which are large modified berries called a pepo. They are rounded to oval mottled green with darker green rind. Black, cream or mottled colored elliptic seeds. Flesh general red or pink but can also be yellowish.
Color: Green. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: The fruit can be eaten raw or pickled. The rind is edible after cooking.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees
- +Edible: The fruit can be eaten raw or pickled. The rind is edible after cooking.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, attracts beneficial insects
Marigolds
Repels nematodes and cucumber beetles, deters aphids and other pests
Radishes
Improves soil structure, repels cucumber beetles and squash vine borers
Beans
Fixes nitrogen in soil, provides ground cover without competing for space
Corn
Provides natural trellis support and shade, creates beneficial microclimate
Sunflowers
Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators, provides natural support structure
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and aphids, attracts beneficial predatory insects
Catnip
Strongly repels cucumber beetles, ants, and aphids through natural compounds
Keep Apart
Potatoes
Competes for nutrients and water, may harbor similar fungal diseases
Aromatic herbs (mint, sage)
Strong oils can inhibit watermelon growth and development
Fennel
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most cucurbits including watermelons
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good general disease tolerance, some wilt resistance
Common Pests
Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, aphids, spider mites
Diseases
Fusarium wilt, anthracnose, gummy stem blight