Discover the sweetest watermelon variety like Crimson Sweet with growing tips from Ashley Scott, a 10-year gardening pro. Perfect for USA gardens!
Hey there, fruit lovers! I’m Ashley Scott, a gardening enthusiast with 10 years of experience growing juicy melons in my USA backyard. If you’re chasing the sweetest watermelon variety, you’re after that perfect balance of high sugar content (Brix levels above 12%) and mouthwatering flavor think melt-in-your-mouth sweetness without sacrificing juiciness. From my trials and garden wisdom, Crimson Sweet stands out as the top pick for its reliable, extra-sweet crimson flesh and classic striped rind. But there are other contenders like Sugar Baby for compact sweetness or Densuke for exotic luxury. Below, I’ll break down the sweetest varieties, with growing tips, my personal stories, and ties to projects like DIY compost bins or pollinator-friendly plants at USA Garden Hub. Let’s slice into the sweetest watermelons!
Top Sweetest Watermelon Varieties
Based on Brix levels, taste tests, and grower favorites, here are the 7 sweetest watermelon varieties for USA gardens. These thrive in USDA Zones 3 to 11 with full sun and well-drained soil, yielding 10 to 30 pounds per fruit.
1. Crimson Sweet (Sweetness Level: 12-14 Brix)
The gold standard for sweetness, with deep red flesh that’s incredibly juicy and low-seeded.
- Why It’s the Sweetest: High sugar content makes it melt-in-your-mouth sweet, outshining many hybrids.
- Growing Tips: Sow seeds indoors 3 weeks before last frost, transplant 3 to 4 feet apart. Water 1 to 2 inches weekly; mulch to retain moisture. Harvest at 80 to 90 days when the underside turns yellow.
- Size: 20 to 25 pounds, oblong.
- My Tip: My Crimson Sweet vines love compost from my DIY compost bin pair with marigolds to deter beetles.
- Fun Fact: Developed in the 1960s, it’s America’s most popular variety.
2. Sugar Baby (Sweetness Level: 12-13 Brix)
A mini powerhouse with dark red, seedless-like flesh that’s intensely sweet and crisp.
- Why It’s the Sweetest: Compact size concentrates the sugar for a burst of flavor in every bite.
- Growing Tips: Direct sow after frost, space 3 feet apart. Drought-tolerant once established; harvest at 75 to 80 days.
- Size: 6 to 10 pounds, round.
- My Tip: Ideal for small yards my Sugar Babies ripen early, perfect for pollinator-friendly beds with bee-loving flowers.
- Fun Fact: Heirloom from the 1950s, great for beginners.
3. Densuke (Sweetness Level: 13-15 Brix)
A rare Japanese black watermelon with jet-black rind and ruby-red flesh that’s ultra-sweet and firm.
- Why It’s the Sweetest: Highest Brix among rare varieties, with a honey-like intensity.
- Growing Tips: Full sun, rich soil. Needs 90 to 100 days; space 6 feet apart for large fruits.
- Size: 20 to 30 pounds, round.
- My Tip: Grow in pots if space is tight my Densuke was a showstopper, but it needs heat.
- Fun Fact: Sells for $100+ in Japan due to rarity.
4. Mountain Sweet Yellow (Sweetness Level: 12-13 Brix)
A yellow-fleshed heirloom with bright, sweet, honey-like flavor and few seeds.
- Why It’s the Sweetest: Mild, tropical sweetness that’s less watery than reds.
- Growing Tips: Sow in hills 4 feet apart, water consistently. Harvest at 85 days.
- Size: 15 to 25 pounds, oblong.
- My Tip: My yellow Mountain Sweets add color to salads compost boosts their juiciness.
- Fun Fact: Open-pollinated, so save seeds for next year.
5. Charleston Gray (Sweetness Level: 11-12 Brix)
A classic oblong melon with light green rind and sweet, crisp red flesh.
- Why It’s the Sweetest: Balanced sugar and refreshingly low acidity.
- Growing Tips: Full sun, sandy soil. Space 6 feet; harvest at 85 to 90 days.
- Size: 20 to 30 pounds, long.
- My Tip: Great for pickling my vines sprawl near pollinator plants for better yields.
- Fun Fact: Introduced in 1957, it’s a Southern favorite.
6. Hime Kansen (Sweetness Level: 12-14 Brix)
A petite Japanese variety with dark green rind and intensely sweet, seedless flesh.
- Why It’s the Sweetest: Mini size packs maximum sugar per bite.
- Growing Tips: Warm soil (70°F+), space 3 feet. Harvest at 80 days.
- Size: 5 to 8 pounds, round.
- My Tip: My Hime Kansen is perfect for small spaces trellis like cucumbers.
- Fun Fact: “Princess melon” in Japanese, a luxury treat.
7. Orangeglo (Sweetness Level: 12-13 Brix)
An orange-fleshed hybrid with ultra-sweet, juicy pulp that’s low in seeds.
- Why It’s the Sweetest: Carrot-like sweetness with a tropical twist.
- Growing Tips: Full sun, fertile soil. Water evenly; harvest at 85 days.
- Size: 15 to 20 pounds, oblong.
- My Tip: My Orangeglo adds color to my berry patch great with Haskap berries.
- Fun Fact: Developed for vitamin A boost.
Growing Tips for the Sweetest Watermelons
- Soil Prep: Use compost from my DIY compost bin for rich, well-drained soil (pH 6.0 to 6.8).
- Planting: Sow seeds indoors 3 weeks before last frost, transplant after danger of frost, space 4 to 6 feet apart in hills.
- Watering: 1 to 2 inches weekly, especially during fruit set; mulch to retain moisture.
- Pests: Watch for aphids, use neem oil like my guide—plant marigolds for protection.
- Harvest: Thump for a dull sound, check tendril browning; store at room temp for 2 weeks.
- My Tip: In my Zone 7 garden, Sugar Baby ripens first, Crimson Sweet lasts longest—both love pollinator-friendly flowers.
Wrapping Up
The sweetest watermelon variety? Crimson Sweet takes the crown for its unbeatable sugar punch, but Sugar Baby is my go-to for small spaces and early harvests. My backyard vines yield bushels of juicy bliss each summer. Whether you’re a beginner or pro, these varieties are rewarding. What’s your sweetest watermelon memory? Share in the comments on USA Garden Hub!
