5 Popular Watermelon Varieties and How to Cultivate & Care for Them

Watermelons are the ultimate summer fruit—refreshing, hydrating, and perfect for picnics. The good news? You can grow them in your own backyard with the right variety and care.

In this guide, we’ll explore 5 popular watermelon varieties, how to successfully grow them, and how to care for your watermelon plants to ensure a bountiful harvest.

1. Crimson Sweet

   • Size: 20–25 lbs

   • Shape: Oval

   • Flesh: Bright red, sweet

   • Days to maturity: 80–85 days

     

2. Sugar Baby

   • Size: 6–10 lbs

   • Shape: Round

   • Flesh: Deep red, super sweet

   • Days to maturity: 75–80 days

     

3. Charleston Gray

   • Size: 25–30 lbs

   • Shape: Oblong

   • Flesh: Firm, red

   • Days to maturity: 85–90 days

     

4. Yellow Crimson

   • Size: 15–20 lbs

   • Shape: Round or oval

   • Flesh: Yellow and sweet

   • Days to maturity: 80 days

     

5. Jubilee

   • Size: 25–35 lbs

   • Shape: Long and oblong

   • Flesh: Bright red, crisp

   • Days to maturity: 90–100 days

     

How to Cultivate Watermelon Successfully

Watermelons need space, warmth, and sunlight to thrive. Here’s how to grow them:

1. Choose the Right Location

• Full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily)

• Well-drained soil, ideally sandy loam

• Soil pH: 6.0–6.8

2. Start Seeds or Transplants

• Sow directly outdoors when soil temperature is 70°F (21°C) or above.

• Or, start indoors 3–4 weeks before transplanting.

3. Plant Spacing

• In rows: Space seeds 3–4 feet apart, rows 6 feet apart.

• In hills: 2–3 seeds per hill, spaced 4–6 feet apart.

4. Watering

• Keep soil moist (not soggy) during early growth.

• Once fruit starts developing, reduce watering to avoid bland flavor.

5. Fertilization

• Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting (e.g. 10-10-10).

• When vines begin to run, switch to low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer.

• Mulch with compost to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Proper Care Tips for Healthy Watermelon Plants

Control Weeds

• Use mulch or hand-weed regularly to avoid competition for nutrients.

Watch for Pests and Diseases

• Common pests: Aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs

• Diseases: Powdery mildew, fusarium wilt

• Use neem oil or insecticidal soap as needed. Practice crop rotation for disease prevention.

Support Pollination

• Watermelons need pollinators like bees. Avoid using harmful pesticides during flowering.

 Know When to Harvest

• The curly tendril near the fruit stem turns brown and dry.

• The spot touching the ground turns yellow.

• Thumping the fruit should give a deep, hollow sound.

Final Thoughts

Growing watermelons at home is not just rewarding—it’s also fun! By selecting the right variety, giving your plants plenty of sun and space, and following proper care techniques, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying sweet, juicy watermelon straight from your garden.