I included a link to a thread in the Container Gardening Forum where a user posts pics and experience of growing Sugar Babies in a container. I have tried growing the Sugarbaby Watermelons both ways. One year in self watering containers and then in an in-ground garden spot. Both methods were successful, meaning we were able to harvest melons. We had better results (a couple more melons) growing them in containers. I believe this was due mostly to the constant supply of moisture the containers provide. Plus in the containers we had no trouble with critters trying to chew on the melons as they ripened. Even with watering the garden plot regularly, we were in drought conditions and the vines did not do as well. The vines got much longer than the seed package indicated. Something you may want to consider if you choose to plant them in a flower border garden. Here is a link that might be useful: Sugar Baby in Container

I have a dozen or so watermelons that the tendril is brown or soon will be brown. These will start being ready in a few days. I don't like to pick them too early. I have one nice Raspa, some Sangrias, one Royal Sweet, two Gold Strikes, two Sweet Dakotas, and two SF #420. That 420 is the most vigorous grower I have ever raised. I have some later ones coming on. Cantaloupes are sizing up...three died on me overnight.

I live in suburban eastern Iowa. My neighbor had a 'Fall Fiesta' sugar maple planted in her front yard earlier this year. There used to be a huge (50 ft tall x 60 ft wide), ugly locust tree in that area, but it rotted and died over the last few years. The new maple should be a beautiful tree. It just started turning orange. She already has a (45 ft x 25 ft) maple (red maple?) in the backyard, which was planted in the 1990s, that turns darkish red. The only thing I am concerned about is the size of the new tree. I didn't really want her to plant such an enormous tree in a small lot like ours. She's in her 60s so she won't be around to see it get 70 ft tall, but I might (40s). At least the new tree is north of my yard and not south. There is one thing I'm curious about. This new sugar maple was planted only about 5 ft from where the old locust tree grew. The locust tree had a huge stump and thick near-surface roots going out in all directions. The stump was ground out, but there are still spots of thick wood only a few feet from the new maple tree. I wonder how that will affect the new tree's growth.

I have been told many times that Mississippi is the poorest state in the entire country, but it amazes me what we get for our money in this state when I read about the silly things that northern gardeners do with a trellis. I may not have a lot of money, but I live in a warm state with enough sunshine and land to grow a watermelon on, and if I start early enough, I can grow any kind of watermelon that I want on my land because land is cheap in Mississippi. However, this is my first year to attempt to grow Sugar Babies. I selected that variety because I am planning to sell them at a roadside market and thought that people who have smaller families than they used to would want smaller watermelons. The little ones seem to do well at the grocery store. My first ripe looking watermelon has come in, and I want to know if it is indeed ripe. It has changed its color to dark green. I am told that Sugar Babies do that. It also has a bright yellow spot on the bottom. So far so good. It is soft ball sized, but I am not considering the size as important because I know watermelons better than that. However, the tendril has not changed. Should I consider this to be important? If you ever get tired of being cold, feel free to check us out. We are somewhat due south of Chicago, Ill, but it seems like it's on a different planet.