{"product_id":"fruit-tiny-tot-watermelon","title":"FRUIT-TINY TOT-WATERMELON","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to Grow Tiny Tot-Watermelon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003col\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eChoose a warm, sunny position as Tiny Tot Watermelon needs a warm growing season and a position with full sun. Choose a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, with plenty of room for the vines to spread. Watermelons grow best in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost or aged manure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSow outdoors, after all danger of the last frost has passed, and the soil has warmed. Tiny Tot can be directly sown into the garden, or started in pots in cooler areas and planted out once the weather is reliably warm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Plant seeds about \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e20 mm deep\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e. Water gently after sowing and keep the soil moist, but not soggy, until seedlings appear. Watermelon seeds usually germinate best in warm soil, around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e27- 32°C\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSpace plants around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e60–80 cm apart\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, with rows about \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e150–180 cm apart\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e. Even though Tiny Tot produces smaller fruit, the vines still need room to grow and spread. If space is limited, vines may be trained up a strong trellis, but fruit will need support as it develops.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWatermelons need consistent moisture while they are growing, flowering and setting fruit. Water deeply at soil level rather than over the leaves, as wet foliage can encourage fungal problems. Avoid letting plants dry out severely, especially while fruit is forming.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFeed for healthy vine and fruit growth\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ein well prepared soil with compost or aged manure.  A little extra fertiliser may be needed. In poorer soils, use a balanced vegetable fertiliser when seedlings are established, then a liquid feed during flowering and fruiting if plants need a boost. Avoid too much nitrogen, as this can encourage leafy growth at the expense of fruit.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWatermelon plants produce separate male and female flowers on the same vine. Bees and other insects are important for pollination and good fruit development. If fruit begins to form but then shrivels, poor pollination may be the cause. Hand pollination can be done by transferring pollen from a male flower to a female flower.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOnce fruit starts forming, place straw, sugar cane mulch, cardboard, or another dry barrier under each melon to help keep it off wet soil and reduce the risk of rotting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTiny Tot Watermelon is usually described as a quick-growing variety, producing small fridge-size fruit of around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e2 - 3 kg\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e in about \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e75 days from sowing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, though growing time can vary with climate and conditions. Look for ripeness signs such as a dry brown tendril near the fruit stem, a duller skin surface, a heavy feel for its size, and a yellowing patch where the fruit rests on the ground.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHarvest carefully. Cut ripe fruit from the vine with a short piece of stem attached. Store harvested watermelons in the fridge and use them soon after picking for the best flavour and texture. Tiny Tot’s smaller size makes it ideal as a manageable, fridge-size watermelon for home gardens.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdditional growing tips of Tiny Tot-Watermelon\n\n\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eUse a soil thermometer, not just the calendar.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Watermelon can sulk badly if planted into cold soil. A little trick is to check the soil temperature early in the morning, when it is at its lowest, before deciding whether to sow or transplant. Watermelon seed germinates best once soil at seed depth is above about \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e21°C \/ 70°F\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eStart seedlings in pots that minimise root disturbance.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Watermelons dislike having their roots disturbed, so if raising seedlings, use individual pots, peat pots, or larger cells and transplant while still young. Watermelons are difficult to transplant and need suitable containers to succeed.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePre-warm the growing bed before planting.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e In cooler areas, black plastic, low tunnels, or temporary covers can warm the soil earlier and give melons a stronger start. Soil-warming mulches and low tunnels can allow earlier planting and maturity, but covers should be removed once flowering begins so bees can access the flowers.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDon’t panic if the first flowers do nothing.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Male flowers often appear before female flowers, so early flowers may open and fall without fruit forming. Female flowers are the ones with the tiny swollen “baby watermelon” behind the flower. Male flowers appear at least a week before female flowers.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHand-pollinate early female flowers if bee activity is low.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Watermelon pollen is heavy and sticky, so wind will not move it properly. If bees are scarce, touch pollen from a fresh male flower onto the centre of a female flower in the morning. Good pollination is especially important for the first flush of female flowers.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSupport fruit early if growing vertically.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Tiny Tot’s smaller fruit size makes it more practical for trellising than large watermelons, but the fruit should still be supported in a sling made from soft cloth, netting, or old stockings before it gets heavy. Personal-size watermelons under about \u003cb\u003e 3.2 kg \/ \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e7 lb \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e are suitable for trellising.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eKeep only the best-shaped fruit if vines are overloaded.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e If a vine sets too many small or misshapen fruit, removing poor fruit can help the plant put energy into the better ones. Pruning or removing misshapen or poorly pollinated fruit can improve the balance between vine growth and fruit set.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThink potassium once fruit is forming.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Too much nitrogen gives lush vines, but potassium is important for fruit quality and sweetness. Adequate potassium fertilisation is important for melon crops because potassium is correlated with melon sweetness.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eEase back on heavy watering near ripening.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Keep plants alive and steady, but avoid suddenly overwatering late in fruit development. Excessive irrigation in the later ripening stage can reduce sugar levels and cause fruit cracking.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eUse drip watering if possible.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Drip irrigation keeps moisture near the root zone while keeping the leaves dry, which can reduce disease pressure compared with overhead watering. Drip irrigation helps crops grow evenly, reduces weed emergence, and keeps foliage dry.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eGrow in slightly raised soil if your garden holds water.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Watermelons prefer rich but well-drained soil, and they dislike sitting in wet, heavy ground. Raised mounds or raised rows can help drainage, especially after heavy rain. Watermelons prefer organic, rich, well-drained sandy soils, but most soils can work if drainage is good.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHeritage of Tiny Tot Watermelon\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"w-full text-token-text-primary\" dir=\"auto\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-7\" data-scroll-anchor=\"false\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"py-2 juice:py-[18px] px-3 text-base md:px-4 m-auto md:px-5 lg:px-1 xl:px-5\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mx-auto flex flex-1 gap-3 text-base juice:gap-4 juice:md:gap-5 juice:lg:gap-6 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem]\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"group\/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-5 juice:w-full juice:items-end overflow-x-auto gap-2\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"0ea7b0d2-b42a-4e61-bc68-d6140cf51d7a\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 juice:empty:hidden juice:first:pt-[3px]\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"\u003e\n\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTiny Tot Watermelon is a relatively modern small “fridge-size” or personal-size watermelon variety rather than an old documented heirloom with a clearly published origin story. It is sold as a sweet, productive watermelon with crisp red flesh, producing small fruit around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e2–3 kg\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e in about \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e75 days from sowing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e. Watermelons themselves have a very ancient heritage, with modern domesticated watermelon traced back to Africa.  DNA evidence points to the Kordofan melon from Sudan in north-east Africa as the closest relative of domesticated watermelon, and that Egyptian tomb paintings show watermelon being eaten in the Nile Valley more than 4,000 years ago. Tiny Tot continues that long watermelon history in a compact, practical form suited to home gardens and smaller households.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"scrollable-wrapper\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/abseeds.com.au\/\"\u003eSHOP ABSeeds\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/abseeds.com.au\/category-colour-guide\/\"\u003eCategory Colour Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\n\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/abseeds.com.au\/planting_guide_for_australia\/\"\u003ePlanting Guide for Australia\u003c\/a\u003e\n\n\u003ca title=\"Climate Search Tool\" href=\"https:\/\/abseeds.com.au\/filter-by-climate\/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Search Tool\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Direct Compost Solutions","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55020603015540,"sku":"FRTT-WM","price":3.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1006\/7171\/7748\/files\/FRUIT_TINY_TOT_WATERMELON.webp?v=1785570881","url":"https:\/\/directcompostsolutions.com\/products\/fruit-tiny-tot-watermelon","provider":"DIRECT COMPOST SOLUTIONS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}