Grow Your Own Watermelon: 20 Varieties to Choose From

by Peter October 3, 2024

written by Peter October 3, 2024

20 Types of Watermelon to Grow in Your Garden

Choosing the Right Watermelon for Your Needs

Watermelons come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, so it’s important to choose the right variety for your needs. If you’re looking for a large watermelon to feed a crowd, consider a picnic watermelon like Carolina Cross or Congo. If you prefer a smaller, personal watermelon, opt for a variety like Yellow Petite or Bush Sugar Baby. For areas with short growing seasons, consider early-maturing varieties like Tiger Doll or Cream of Saskatchewan.

Growing Watermelons

Watermelons require a long, warm growing season, so it’s important to start seeds indoors or in a greenhouse 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Once the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves, they can be transplanted outdoors. Choose a planting site with full sun and well-drained soil. Watermelons need plenty of water, so be sure to water them deeply and regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.

Seedless and Personal Watermelons

Seedless watermelons are a popular choice for those who don’t like to deal with seeds. However, it’s important to note that seedless watermelons are not actually seedless. They contain undeveloped seeds that are soft and edible. To grow seedless watermelons, you must plant them with a seeded watermelon variety in the garden to provide pollen for the seedless fruit to form.

Personal watermelons are smaller than picnic watermelons and are perfect for serving 2-4 people. They mature quickly and are a good choice for areas with short growing seasons. Some popular personal watermelon varieties include Yellow Petite, New Queen, and Tiger Doll.

Watermelon Varieties

Here is a detailed look at 20 different types of watermelon:

Allsweet: A large, oblong picnic melon with bright red flesh and a striped green rind.
Belmont: A seedless, round personal watermelon with deep red flesh and a dark green rind.
Black Diamond: A large, round picnic watermelon with thick, dark-green rind and bright red flesh.
Bush Sugar Baby: A small, early-maturing icebox melon with bright red flesh and a short, 3-foot vine.
Carolina Cross: An oblong picnic melon with light green rind and dark green stripes, known for its large size and crisp flesh.
Charleston Grey: A classic picnic watermelon with greenish-gray rind and firm red flesh.
Congo: A large picnic melon with light and dark green stripes, known for its high yield and long growing season.
Cream of Saskatchewan: A good choice for areas with short growing seasons, with white or cream-colored flesh and a light green rind with dark green stripes.
Crimson Sweet: A full-sized, round watermelon with light green rind and dark green stripes, known for its high sugar content and resistance to fusarium wilt and anthracnose.
Dixie Queen: A fast-growing picnic watermelon with greenish-ivory rind and dark green stripes, known for its early maturity and resistance to fusarium wilt.
Jubilee: A picnic melon with thick, light green rind and dark green stripes, known for its sweet, firm red flesh.
Moon & Stars: An heirloom variety with dark green skin dotted with small bright yellow spots (stars) and larger yellow spots (moons), known for its unique appearance and long growing season.
New Queen: An icebox-sized watermelon with bright orange flesh, few seeds, and a high sugar content.
Orangeglo: A unique variety with deep orange flesh, light and dark green striped rind, and high yields.
Sangria: A popular choice with bright red flesh, high sugar content, and a dark green rind with jade green stripes.
Secretariat: A fast-maturing, seedless watermelon with deep red flesh and a medium-green rind with green stripes.
Sweet Siberian: A small personal melon with apricot-colored flesh and a striped oblong rind, known for its early maturity and tolerance to shorter growing seasons.
Tiger Doll: An early-maturing icebox melon with a light green rind with thin dark tiger stripes and bright red flesh, known for its crispness and sweetness.
Top Gun: A large picnic watermelon with dark and light green stripes and bright red flesh, known for its uniform shape and quick maturity.
Yellow Petite: A personal or icebox melon with soft-yellow flesh, sweet flavor, and a short 70-day maturity period.

Peter

Peter is a marketer with a background in business and a passion for writing. With a keen eye for detail and a talent for crafting compelling narratives, Peter has carved out a niche for himself as a versatile contributor to LifeScienceArt.com, where he enjoys sharing his insights and expertise across a wide array of topics. Peter's journey into the world of marketing began with his university education in business. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. His academic pursuits were characterized by a deep understanding of market dynamics, consumer behavior, and strategic planning. This foundation laid the groundwork for his successful career in marketing, where he has applied his knowledge to help businesses grow and thrive in competitive landscapes. Throughout his career, Peter has worked with a diverse range of companies, from startups to large multinational conglomerates, helping them develop and execute effective marketing strategies. His experience spans various industries, including technology, healthcare, and consumer goods, reflecting his adaptability and broad skill set. Peter's ability to blend analytical thinking with creative problem-solving has made him a valuable asset in any organization he works with. Despite his busy professional life, Peter has always made time for his true passion: writing. He finds joy in the written word and believes in its power to inform, inspire, and connect people. This passion has found a perfect outlet in LifeScienceArt.com, where he contributes to all sections of the site. Whether it's penning thought-provoking articles on the latest trends in life sciences, crafting engaging profiles of industry leaders, or writing insightful pieces on art and its intersection with science, Peter brings a unique voice and perspective to his work. One of the aspects Peter cherishes most about his role at LifeScienceArt.com is the opportunity to collaborate with a wonderful cohort of writers. He values the camaraderie and the shared commitment to excellence that characterize the team. Working alongside talented and passionate individuals inspires him to continually hone his craft and push the boundaries of his writing. Outside of his professional pursuits, Peter is an avid reader and a lifelong learner. He enjoys exploring new ideas, delving into diverse genres of literature, and staying abreast of developments in science and art. His curiosity and enthusiasm for learning are reflected in his writing, where he strives to bring fresh insights and a nuanced understanding to his readers. Peter's story is one of dedication, versatility, and a deep-seated love for both marketing and writing. His contributions to LifeScienceArt.com not only enrich the site's content but also underscore the importance of passion and collaboration in creating meaningful and impactful work.