A Review of the 15 Earliest Watermelon Varieties

Ogonyok

This old Kharkiv-bred variety is prized by experienced vegetable growers. It's no coincidence that it's considered one of the earliest watermelon varieties, as the harvest period begins just 80 days after germination. The spherical fruit, weighing up to 2.5 kg, has a thin, glossy, dark green, stripeless rind. The seeds are very small, and the flesh is scarlet with a distinct aroma.

Growing this variety is not difficult, as it is surprisingly unpretentious and resistant to anthracnose and, partially, powdery mildew. The only drawback of this variety is its short shelf life. Therefore, it is not suitable for wholesale cultivation, but only for home gardening.

A gift to the North

You definitely won't be able to harvest this variety before 70 days. However, you can begin harvesting 75-80 days after germination. The fruits are similar in shape to Ogonyok, but the difference is that Podarok Severu has distinctive light green stripes. The flesh is red, crisp, and sweet.

This variety is ideal for open ground and mass cultivation. Seeds begin to germinate in April-May. It is transportable, has a long shelf life, and is resistant to disease and drought. Fruits can reach a maximum weight of 10 kg.

Crimson Ruby F1

This hybrid can be considered very early ripening, as fruiting begins in just 63–68 days. The berry is oval-shaped, with a robust root system and spreading leaves. The skin is firm, dark green, and features barely visible wide white lines. The flesh is scarlet, and the seeds are black or brown. This watermelon typically weighs between 4 and 9 kg.

Ataman F1

The fruit ripens in 70–85 days. This is a vigorous plant with well-developed roots and leaves. The fruit is elliptical, green, with pale stripes. Inside, the watermelon is bright red with a rich, sugary flavor. This hybrid is high-yielding and has a long shelf life. One hectare yields 100 tons.

Pharaoh F1

The ripening time is identical to that of Pharaoh's previous relatives. This elongated berry is dark green with light green stripes and a thin, shiny skin. The flesh is scarlet, with dark burgundy seeds. The seeds of this hybrid germinate in any soil, and the mature plant is disease-resistant. A ripe berry weighs no more than 6 kg.

Top Gun

The berries of this variety are early ripening: 60–65 days are required for full development. This is the largest of all early watermelons, averaging 14 kg. It is a green-and-yellow striped variety with scarlet flesh. Resistant to fungal diseases, a single bush can yield 20–22 kg of fruit.

Photon

Seed sowing begins in May, and seedlings are planted in early June using a 100x100 planting pattern. The ripe berries are oval-shaped, with elastic, grass-colored skin and red flesh. The seeds are large and black. Fruits weighing from 6 to 9 kg are harvested as early as July.

Bonta F1

The ripening period is 60–80 days. The fruit is round and relatively small, weighing up to 7 kg. The skin is light green with dark stripes. The inside is bright red, and the taste is one of the sweetest.

Sugar Delicate F1

The fruits of this variety ripen in about 70 days. The watermelon looks like a picture: bright green, with distinct stripes, and a scarlet interior. It doesn't grow in all soil types, and only in warm, well-lit areas. The fruits are relatively small, weighing 2–3 kg.

Sweet Diamond

This variety takes only 75 days to fully ripen. It is round, slightly elongated, and weighs 3–6 kg. The rind is thin and striped. The flesh is blood-red, juicy, and sweet. It has excellent transportability and shelf life.

Nice

A watermelon with long vines—up to 1.5 meters—the fruits are oval, glossy, and weigh an average of 5–6 kg. The skin is thin—only 1–1.5 cm—and beneath it is light red flesh. This variety has a shelf life of one month.

Due to its long vines, this watermelon isn't exactly easy to care for. It requires constant staking and pruning. Its yield, compared to other varieties, is low. However, it is resistant to various diseases.

Sugar Lightning F1

Another ultra-early watermelon that thrives in central Russia. Harvesting can be achieved in just 60 days. The variety's name reflects its fruit's flavor. This berry is cloyingly sweet, like honey. Its flesh is scarlet and aromatic, and the rind is dark and stripeless. The leaves are small and widely dissected. A distinctive feature of this variety is its cold resistance.

Skorik

The Skorik watermelon is no different in its early ripening than its early relatives. This variety was bred back in 1997, but remains popular and has a good reputation. Ripening takes 65–85 days. The fruit is round and striped. This variety requires sunny weather and fertile soil. Excessive organic fertilizers have a detrimental effect on its development. It is better to use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

Sorento F1

The Sorrento F1 watermelon is a high-yielding, early hybrid. A single hectare can yield 60 tons. This watermelon ripens in up to 80 days. It can be planted both indoors and outdoors, but the planting pattern will differ. While the optimal size for outdoor cultivation is 140 x 100 cm, for indoor cultivation, 70 x 70 cm is recommended. The resulting fruit is medium-sized, weighing 9 kg. Its flesh is tender, deep red, and richly flavored, while the rind is green and striped.

Lady F1

Dutch breeders have developed a vigorous watermelon, Lady F1. Its vines can reach 5 meters in length. The plant has a rounded, elongated shape with wide, dark green veins.

The skin is thick—2.5 cm—and the flesh is red and fiberless. This early variety is renowned for its resistance to cracking, anthracnose, and fusarium.

It's best to buy watermelon seeds from specialized stores, where they provide agronomic advice and guarantee germination.

Video: "Review of the Best Watermelon Varieties"

In this video you will hear about the best varieties of watermelons.