Golden Honey Watermelon is an heirloom variety known for its beautiful rind and extra-sweet flavour. While its exact origins are somewhat unclear, Golden Honey is often attributed to selective breeding in Asia, where watermelons with unique rind colours and high sugar content have been popular for centuries. This variety is celebrated for its distinct sweetness, crunchy texture, and visual appeal, making it a standout in gardens and markets alike.

Golden Honey watermelons are typically round to slightly oval in shape, weighing around 3-6 kg, making them smaller and more manageable than larger varieties. Known for its intensely sweet flavour, Golden Honey is refreshingly crisp and juicy, with a sugar content that gives it a rich, almost honeyed sweetness.

How to Grow Golden Honey Watermelon from Seeds

Growing Golden Honey watermelon in Australia is rewarding as the variety does well in warm climates. Here’s how to grow it from seed:

1. Choose the Right Time to Plant
Golden Honey watermelon seeds should be planted in late spring to early summer, once the soil temperature is consistently above 18°C. Watermelons need warmth, so avoid planting too early in cooler regions.

2. Soil Preparation
Choose a sunny spot in the garden with well-draining, sandy or loamy soil. Golden Honey watermelon prefers soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8.
Enrich the soil with compost or well-aged manure 2-3 weeks before planting. Watermelons are heavy feeders, so good soil preparation is key.

3. Sowing the Seeds
Create small mounds (or hills) about 1 metre apart, as watermelon vines need room to spread.
Sow seeds about 2-3 cm deep, placing 2-3 seeds per mound. Once seedlings have 2-3 leaves, thin them out to keep only the strongest plant per mound.

4. Watering and Maintenance
Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during germination and early growth, but avoid waterlogging as this can lead to root rot. Once fruits begin forming, reduce watering slightly to enhance sweetness and avoid splitting. Mulching around the base of the plants helps retain moisture and keeps the soil warm.

5. Fertilising
Feed your watermelon plants every 2-3 weeks with a balanced, organic fertiliser.
As the vines start spreading, switch to a fertiliser with higher potassium content, which supports fruit development.

6. Pollination and Care
Watermelons rely on bees for pollination. Refrain from using insecticides, especially near flowering, as bees are crucial for fruit set. If pollination seems inadequate, consider hand-pollinating by transferring pollen from male to female flowers.

7. Harvesting
Golden Honey watermelons are typically ready for harvest in 75-85 days. Signs of ripeness include a dried-out tendril near the fruit stem and a hollow sound when tapped.
Another good indicator is that the underside of the melon (where it touches the ground) turns from light green to a creamy yellow.

Golden Honey watermelon adds a vibrant and flavourful element to any garden, and it’s both a treat for the eyes and taste buds. With proper care, you can enjoy a delightful harvest of these golden melons in the summer!