7 Types of Watermelon to Grow During Watermelon Season

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a fruit-producing vine plant in the Cucurbitaceae family closely related to pumpkins and cucumbers. Each watermelon tendril produces an edible fruit called a “pepo,” which matures into a round or oblong shape with a protective outer skin or rind that conceals the firm flesh of the fruit inside. Watermelon exteriors traditionally display distinctive green stripes of alternating green and lighter green with interior flesh that ranges from pink to bright pink to red. However, there are yellow watermelons, too.

Unlike oranges and other similar citrus fruits that produce divided sections to carry seeds, watermelons disperse their seeds randomly throughout the pepo flesh in small white spots called “pips.” Growers and home gardeners have produced numerous cultivars of watermelon for purposes of high yields, disease-resistance, and the elimination of seeds. A seedless watermelon actually contains triploid (three sets of chromosomes) white seeds, which are edible and softer than the larger, black seeds of a seeded watermelon. Both seeded watermelons and hybrid seedless versions are low in sugar and high in vitamins and nutrients, including lycopene.

Consider growing these popular watermelon cultivars in your home garden or small family farm:

1. 1. ‘Black Diamond’: This heirloom cultivar takes roughly three months to grow mature, heavy fruits that can weigh up to fifty pounds. Warm climates and acidic, well-drained soils can help these plants thrive and produce large pepos. These melons have a dark green rind and a deep red flesh with large, black seeds.
   
2. 2. ‘Charleston Gray’: This type of seeded watermelon is extra oblong with a light green exterior. The United States Department of Agriculture developed the ‘Charleston Gray’ cultivar in 1954. At that time, scientists were selectively breeding watermelon varieties to create plants that would be more resistant to diseases since watermelon plants grow in close proximity to each other, meaning plant diseases like fusarium wilt or anthracnose can spread rapidly and decimate an entire crop.
3. 3. ‘Crimson Sweet’: Similar to the ‘Allsweet’ watermelon and other picnic watermelons, the ‘Crimson Sweet’ is juicy with a higher sugar content than most melons. This sweet watermelon has a medium rind with pale, green skin with dark green stripes.
4. 4. ‘Desert King’: This type of watermelon produces a pepo fruit with yellow or orange flesh and a light green, thin rind. As the name suggests, the ‘Desert King’ thrives in dry, arid climates, and it is one of the most drought-resistant watermelons available in the world. These melons retain so much moisture that the inside flesh might be close to ninety percent water.
5. 5. ‘Jubilee’: Botanists developed this extra-large, extra-oblong cultivar at the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station in 1963. Similar to the ‘Charleston Gray,’ the ‘Jubilee’ watermelon is resistant to plant diseases. Gardeners grow this watermelon for its reddish-pink flesh and juicy, sweet flavor.
6. 6. ‘Sugar Baby’: This cultivar belongs to the group of so-called icebox watermelons, which are usually no larger than ten pounds—small enough to easily keep in your refrigerator. It is distinctly round in shape with a solid dark green exterior and bright red flesh.
7. 7. ‘Yellow Baby’: This watermelon has sweet, bright yellow flesh. Similar to other melons, the ‘Yellow Baby’ is sensitive to cold temperatures and inclement weather.

Consider these plant care techniques to help promote watermelon growth.

1. 1. Check watermelon leaves and vines for signs of pests or bacterial diseases. Since watermelons are so closely related to cucumbers and squash, they are susceptible to the same bacterial infections, which often spread from plant to plant by predatory insects feeding on leaves. Check your plants regularly for signs of wilt or discoloration and address any infections with insecticidal soap or neem oil as soon as possible.
2. 2. Spread mulch or blankets to protect your watermelons from cold temperatures or frost. Watermelons are exceptionally low-maintenance plants and scientists have improved their resilience through selective breeding to resist specific diseases like mildew or gummy stem blight. However, all melons are susceptible to cold weather storms that can freeze the ground or flood the soil. You can spread mulch on top of black plastic to insulate the taproot and regulate ground temperatures along outstretched watermelon vines. The mulch will also deter weeds from sprouting around the root system.
3. 3. Water around the main taproot in the morning to keep the surrounding soil moist. Watermelon leaves that sprout along the vine are susceptible to leaf scorch or wilting. To avoid this problem, water around the taproot until the soil feels moist and clumpy. Try to keep the leaves dry. Most watermelon plants will require one to three inches of water per week.

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