• Growing Temp 70°F – 95°F

• Days to Maturity 85-90 days

Ease of Cultivation and Culinary Use: The Jubilee watermelon is renowned for its large size and sweet, juicy flesh, making it a favorite for summer picnics and gatherings. With its striking green stripes and vibrant red interior, it’s not only delicious but also visually appealing. This variety is relatively easy to grow, requiring warm temperatures and plenty of sunlight. It is perfect for eating fresh, making smoothies, or as a refreshing addition to fruit salads.

Direct Sowing: For direct sowing, plant seeds outdoors after the last frost when soil temperatures are consistently above 70°F. Sow the seeds 1 inch deep in hills spaced about 6 feet apart to accommodate the sprawling vines. Thin seedlings to the strongest plant per hill once they are a few inches tall. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and ensure the plants receive full sun exposure for optimal growth.

Early Sowing for Seedlings: To get a jump on the growing season, sow seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Use seedling trays or biodegradable pots and maintain a warm environment of about 75-85°F for germination. Once the seedlings have developed a few true leaves and the outdoor conditions are suitable, transplant them into the garden, ensuring to space them 6 feet apart. Water the transplants thoroughly and apply mulch to help retain moisture.

Harvesting: Jubilee watermelons are ready for harvest when they reach a significant size, typically around 25-30 pounds. Check for ripeness by observing the tendril closest to the fruit; when it dries and turns brown, the watermelon is likely ready. Additionally, the skin will lose its shiny appearance and develop a dull finish. The underside of the melon will change to a creamy yellow color, indicating it’s ready to be picked. When tapped, a hollow sound signifies ripeness, and cut the melon from the vine, leaving a short stem attached.

• Growing Temp 70°F – 95°F

• Days to Maturity 85-95 days

Ease of Cultivation and Culinary Use: The Crimson Sweet watermelon is a popular picnic variety known for its large size and incredibly sweet, juicy flesh. It can weigh up to 25 pounds, making it ideal for family gatherings. This variety is relatively easy to grow if you have ample space for its vines to spread. It thrives in hot weather and full sunlight. Crimson Sweet is perfect for slicing and eating fresh during the summer months, making it a refreshing treat for warm days.

Direct Sowing: Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost and when soil temperatures are consistently above 70°F. Plant the seeds 1 inch deep, with hills spaced 6 feet apart to give the vigorous vines plenty of room to grow. Thin seedlings to the strongest plant per hill once they are a few inches tall. Water consistently but avoid waterlogging, as melons prefer well-drained soil. Keep the vines healthy with regular watering and full sun exposure for optimal fruit development.

Early Sowing for Seedlings: To get an early start, sow seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost date. Use biodegradable pots to reduce transplant shock. Keep the indoor temperature around 75-85°F for optimal germination. When the seedlings are 2-3 inches tall and the soil temperature outside is above 70°F, transplant them into the garden, spacing them 6 feet apart in rows. Water thoroughly after transplanting and use mulch to conserve moisture.

Harvesting: Crimson Sweet watermelons are ready for harvest when they reach full size, usually between 20-25 pounds. A telltale sign of ripeness is when the tendril closest to the fruit dries up and turns brown. The skin should also change to a duller shade of green, and the underside of the melon (the spot touching the ground) will turn a creamy yellow. Tap the melon; a hollow sound suggests ripeness. Cut the fruit from the vine, leaving a small part of the stem attached.

• Growing Temp 70°F – 90°F

• Days to Maturity 75-80 days

Ease of Cultivation and Culinary Use: The Mini – Sugar Baby watermelon is a small, sweet, and compact variety, perfect for home gardens. It is moderately easy to grow, thriving in warm temperatures and sunny conditions. This watermelon is perfect for eating fresh, with its crisp, juicy red flesh making it a refreshing summer treat. Its smaller size makes it easier to handle and store compared to larger watermelon varieties.

Direct Sowing: For direct sowing, plant seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed, when the soil has warmed to at least 70°F. Sow seeds 1 inch deep, spacing them 4-6 feet apart in rows. Watermelon vines need plenty of space to spread out. Thin seedlings to about 3-4 feet apart once they are a few inches tall. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and fruiting, and ensure full sun for optimal growth.

Early Sowing for Seedlings: Start seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost to get an early start. Plant seeds in biodegradable pots so they can be transplanted without disturbing the roots. Keep the indoor temperature at 75-85°F for germination. Transplant the seedlings outdoors once the soil temperature is consistently above 70°F. Space the plants 3-4 feet apart in rows and water them thoroughly after transplanting. Mulching can help retain moisture and control weeds.

Harvesting: Mini – Sugar Baby watermelons are ready to harvest when they reach about 6-10 inches in diameter and the rind turns dark green. Another sign of ripeness is when the tendril nearest the fruit dries up and turns brown. Gently tap the watermelon; it should sound hollow when ripe. Harvest carefully by cutting the fruit from the vine, leaving a small portion of the stem attached.