🍽 Overview
Crop: Watermelon
Common Varieties in OK: ‘Crimson Sweet’, ‘Sugar Baby’, ‘Charleston Gray’
Planting Season: Late spring (after soil reaches 70°F)
Days to Maturity: 75–95 days (depends on variety)
🎨 Trait Legend
Trait Symbol Meaning
🟨 Warm-season Needs hot soil and sun to thrive
🍉 Fruiting crop Large edible fruit, vine-grown
🟩 Full sun Requires full sun exposure
🌿⬇️ Vining Will sprawl unless trellised (not typical)
📏 Spacing & Soil
Row Spacing: 5–6 feet
Plant Spacing: 3–4 feet apart
Soil Needs: Loose, sandy, well-drained; pH 6.0–6.8
Fertilizer: High nitrogen early; switch to phosphorus/potassium at flowering
🌱 Cultivars We Recommend
‘Crimson Sweet’ 🍉🟩
Classic striped melon with deep red flesh. Reliable and juicy.
‘Sugar Baby’ 🍉⬛
Small-fruited, early producer. Deep green skin, great for small spaces.
‘Charleston Gray’ 🍉⬜
Large, oblong heirloom. Pale gray-green rind. Huge yields.
🧠 Tips
Do not overwater near harvest — it waters down sweetness
Use black plastic mulch to warm soil faster in spring
Let the tendrils near fruit dry to check ripeness
Raccoons, possums, and kids may all try to beat you to harvest