The Best Types of Watermelons to Grow in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s climate, with its warm summers and cold winters, offers a growing season long enough to cultivate a variety of watermelon types. While the state’s growing season is shorter than that of the Deep South, it still provides plenty of warmth for watermelon vines to thrive, especially in the southern and central regions. By selecting watermelon varieties that mature relatively quickly and are well-suited to Pennsylvania’s climate, gardeners can enjoy sweet, juicy melons by mid to late summer.

Here are some of the best watermelon varieties to grow in Pennsylvania:

1. Sugar Baby

One of the most popular watermelon varieties for regions with shorter growing seasons like Pennsylvania, Sugar Baby watermelons are known for their small size and early ripening. These watermelons typically mature in about 75-80 days, making them a perfect choice for gardeners who want to ensure a harvest before the first frost. Sugar Baby melons are small, typically weighing between 6-12 pounds, with dark green rinds and sweet, red flesh.

  • Days to maturity: 75-80 days
  • Size: 6-12 pounds
  • Best features: Early maturity, sweet flavor, compact size

2. Crimson Sweet

Crimson Sweet is a widely grown watermelon variety, appreciated for its large size, sweet flavor, and resistance to many common diseases. While it takes a bit longer to mature than Sugar Baby, Crimson Sweet can still thrive in Pennsylvania’s growing season, typically maturing in about 85 days. These melons are larger, usually weighing around 20-25 pounds, with a striped rind and deep red flesh.

  • Days to maturity: 85 days
  • Size: 20-25 pounds
  • Best features: Large size, disease resistance, sweet and juicy flesh

3. Charleston Gray

Charleston Gray watermelons are another excellent option for Pennsylvania gardeners. This variety produces long, oval-shaped melons with a light green rind and sweet, firm red flesh. Charleston Gray watermelons are known for their disease resistance and ability to grow in a variety of soil conditions. They typically mature in about 85-90 days, making them a good choice for areas with warm summers.

  • Days to maturity: 85-90 days
  • Size: 20-40 pounds
  • Best features: Disease resistance, sweet flavor, large size

4. Black Diamond

Black Diamond watermelons are known for their thick, dark green rind and large size. These melons can weigh anywhere from 30 to 50 pounds and are prized for their juicy, sweet flesh. While Black Diamond takes a bit longer to mature (about 90-95 days), it can be a great option for Pennsylvania gardeners who have a longer summer growing season or who start their plants early indoors.

  • Days to maturity: 90-95 days
  • Size: 30-50 pounds
  • Best features: Large size, sweet and juicy flesh, thick rind for storage

5. Golden Midget

Golden Midget watermelons are unique in appearance and ideal for Pennsylvania’s shorter growing season. This variety matures very quickly, in about 70 days, making it one of the fastest-growing watermelon varieties available. Golden Midget melons are small, typically weighing 3-5 pounds, and have a distinctive golden rind when ripe, with pink flesh inside.

  • Days to maturity: 70 days
  • Size: 3-5 pounds
  • Best features: Very early maturity, unique golden rind, compact size

6. Jubilee

The Jubilee watermelon is another excellent variety for Pennsylvania, particularly for gardeners with a bit more space. This variety produces large, elongated melons that can weigh up to 40 pounds. Jubilee watermelons have a light green rind with darker green stripes and sweet, firm red flesh. They take about 90 days to mature and perform best in regions with warm summers.

  • Days to maturity: 90 days
  • Size: 25-40 pounds
  • Best features: Large size, sweet and firm flesh, disease resistance

7. Moon and Stars

For a visually stunning watermelon, the Moon and Stars variety is a popular heirloom choice. These melons are named for their dark green rind dotted with bright yellow spots, resembling a night sky. Moon and Stars watermelons are large, often weighing 20-40 pounds, and have sweet, red flesh. They take about 90-95 days to mature and grow well in Pennsylvania’s warm summer climate.

  • Days to maturity: 90-95 days
  • Size: 20-40 pounds
  • Best features: Unique appearance, large size, sweet flavor

Growing Tips for Watermelons in Pennsylvania

To maximize your watermelon harvest in Pennsylvania, follow these growing tips:

  • Start seeds indoors: Since Pennsylvania has a shorter growing season than southern states, starting watermelon seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost can give plants a head start. Transplant them outside once the soil has warmed to at least 70°F.
  • Choose a sunny location: Watermelons require full sun to thrive. Plant them in an area that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
  • Ensure well-drained soil: Watermelons prefer sandy or loamy soils that drain well. Add compost or organic matter to improve soil fertility and drainage.
  • Space plants properly: Watermelon vines need room to spread, so plant them about 6 feet apart to allow for their sprawling growth.
  • Mulch and water deeply: Mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture and keep the soil warm. Watermelons require consistent moisture, especially during fruit development, so water deeply once a week.
  • Harvest at the right time: Watermelons are ready to harvest when the underside turns yellow, the tendril near the stem dries up, and the fruit gives a hollow sound when tapped.

Conclusion

Growing watermelons in Pennsylvania is possible with the right varieties and growing practices. Fast-maturing types like Sugar Baby and Golden Midget are well-suited for the state’s shorter growing season, while larger varieties like Crimson Sweet and Charleston Gray can also thrive in the warmer parts of Pennsylvania. With proper care and attention, Pennsylvania gardeners can enjoy a bountiful harvest of sweet, juicy watermelons by mid to late summer.