Small Watermelon: Get To Know The Miniature Variety Of Watermelons
Small watermelon, also known as sugar baby watermelon, is a miniature variety of the fruit. This small watermelon is perfect for those who want a sweet snack but don’t want to eat a large amount. Small watermelons are available from late spring through early fall. Read on to find out more small watermelon facts.
About Small Watermelon
Small watermelon is a sweet and seedless treat perfect for eating fruit but doesn’t feel like eating a wider variety. They are the size of grapefruits. Sugar baby watermelon is an heirloom variety of small watermelon, which means that it was not genetically modified in any way. The Sugar baby watermelon plant grows between 3 to 4 feet tall and produces 2 to 10 fruits per vine. You can pick them at their peak ripeness when you grow your sugar babies to enjoy the fresh, sweet taste.
Recipes
Homemade ice pops are a great way to use small watermelons. You can puree the fruit and freeze it in an ice cube tray along with some sugar, lemon juice, and water. In addition, small watermelon cubes make for a tasty addition to your favorite tea or lemonade recipe. By adding these refreshing flavor combinations, you’ll have a healthy and delicious drink that’s perfect for a backyard barbecue or picnic.
Although small watermelon is most often eaten as a fruit, this variety also makes for great decoration. The bright green rind of this type of small watermelon gives the sweet pink flesh inside a striking contrast. To make your decorative centerpiece, cut the fruit into 1-inch thick slices and use a melon baller to scoop out holes where you can add candles, flowers, or other decors.
In addition, small watermelon is also a great one to grow in your garden because it doesn’t require as much space as the traditional variety of watermelon. Sugar baby plants only take up around 1/8 of an acre, making them perfect for travelers who want to grow their fruit.
Watermelon Ice
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 cups water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1/8 of a small seedless watermelon
Directions
Bring sugar and three cups of water to a boil over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, about three minutes. Once the mixture has boiled for one minute, please remove it from heat and allow it to cool completely before moving on to the next step of this process. In a large pitcher or bowl, combine lemon juice with watermelon pieces and stir well. Pour in sugar water and stir to ensure that all ingredients are mixed well. Place pitcher in the refrigerator for two hours before pouring over ice cubes and serving.
Facts
Watermelons are available from May through September. It is best to eat watermelon when it has reached its peak ripeness, indicated by a change in color. When cut open, the interior flesh of the watermelon should give slightly under your fingers, and the seeds should quickly come out. Watermelons are mostly made up of water, making them a filling snack. It is essential to remember that consuming too much watermelon can give you diarrhea because it contains certain enzymes that are not suited for the digestive system.
Growing Tips
If you’re interested in growing your small watermelons, here are some tips to help you get started:
- Choose a sunny spot in your garden for your small watermelon plants.
- Amend the soil with compost or aged manure before planting.
- Plant sugar baby watermelon seeds 1/2 inch deep and space them 2 to 3 feet apart.
- Water regularly and fertilize every four weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
- Harvesting when they reach their desired size, typically 70 to 90 days after planting.
How to Store
Once you’ve picked your small watermelons, you’ll need to store them properly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible. Here are a few tips to follow:
- Store small watermelons in a cool, dry place. A refrigerator is ideal, but if you don’t have room, try putting them in a shady spot on your porch or deck.
- Make sure that the watermelons are not touching each other, as they will bruise and spoil faster that way.
- Do not wash the watermelons before storing them, as the moisture will speed up spoilage.
- If you need to stack watermelons, do so in small piles no higher than three.
- Small watermelons will last up to ten days once they are cut open.
Why Should I Eat Watermelon?
Watermelon contains many nutrients that are great for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here are some health benefits of this delicious fruit:
- Watermelon contains high amounts of lycopene, which may prevent cancer.
- The fruit also contains vitamins A, C and B6 along with potassium, magnesium and phosphorus. These nutrients can help lower blood pressure and keep your energy levels up.
Watermelons are not only great for human consumption; they’re suitable for your garden too. The plants are deer resistant and require little maintenance, making them perfect for people who like to be outside but don’t want to maintain a large plot.
Moreover, these plants grow in many climates to be enjoyed in numerous regions of the world in warmer months! There is something special about serving up an entire watermelon at a picnic table. The fruit is delicious, filling, and healthy for humans and plants.
Conclusion
Small watermelons are a miniature variety of the more common fruit. They’re perfect for traveler who wants to grow their fruit or garden enthusiast with limited space. Growing small watermelon plants is relatively easy, and they produce in just 70-90 days! Be sure to follow proper storage instructions after harvesting your mini melon, so it doesn’t spoil prematurely. For more information on how you can start growing this delicious summer treat, contact us today!
FAQs
Q: What are the best small watermelon varieties?
A: The best small watermelon varieties include Sugar baby, Honey heart, Canary melon, Bush sugar baby, and Alaska.
Q: How do I know when a small watermelon is ripe?
A: When you squeeze a small watermelon, the rind should be firm but give slightly. The underside of the melon should have a yellow spot where it sat on the ground during ripening. You can also tell if your small watermelon is ripe by looking at its color—when fully ripe, these fruits turn from dark green to pale yellow or white.
Q: What are some common diseases that affect small watermelon plants?
A: Watermelons are vulnerable to many of the same diseases as larger varieties, including anthracnose, fusarium wilt, and powdery mildew.
Q: What pests are most likely to attack my small watermelon plants?
A: Slugs, snails, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and striped pumpkin beetles are all common pests that can attack small watermelon plants.
Q: What is the best way to store a ripe small watermelon?
A: Keep your small watermelons in a well-ventilated area with temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It would be best to keep them from ethylene-producing items like apples, bananas, and tomatoes.