Bush Sugar Baby Watermelon Seeds

Bush Sugar Baby grows small red-fleshed watermelons on shorter vines than many full-size types.

Packet: 8 seeds

Planting at a glance

• Season: Warm season
• Start: Direct sow, or start individual cells 3–4 weeks before transplanting
• Seed depth: ½–1 inch
• Germination: Usually 3–10 days around 75–80°F
• Final spacing: Allow about 24–48 inches between plants; leave generous room for spreading vines
• Light: Full sun
• Harvest planning: Typical crop window: 80–100 days from sowing, or 60–90 days from transplanting

When to plant

Plant outdoors after frost danger passes and the soil has warmed. In short-season areas, count back from your intended outdoor planting date for indoor starts. South Florida outdoor window: December–March.

How to plant

1. Prepare loose, well-drained soil or a clean seed-starting mix. Direct sow, or start individual cells 3–4 weeks before transplanting.
2. Sow ½–1 inch deep. Keep the seedbed evenly moist until seedlings emerge. Then water when the soil needs it, allowing excess water to drain.
3. Thin or transplant to the listed final spacing. Give seedlings sufficient light and check moisture as roots establish.

How to harvest

Look for several ripeness signs together, including the nearest tendril drying and the ground spot changing color. Rind appearance varies by variety.

Aunt E’s tip: Small fruit does not always mean a small vine. Check the plant habit before choosing a container.