I don't know what SWC stands for unless it is some kind of container. Containers would not be my choice at all if possible.

For best flavor I would suggest a modern variety like RoJo Grande, Sangria, Raspa, SF#420, or an older one like Orangeglo or Dixie Lee.
I think starving the melons for water is overrated. Mine are very sweet always if they attain 22pounds and the plants are healthy until the fruits are FULLY ripened.

I have been growing Crimson Sweet in a SWC. I had one fruit but lost it to BER due to a RUSH of rain last month about a week after the fruit set. Today, I found another fruit. I have trellised the watermelon. So my vote . . . big old - Crimson Sweet.

There are dozens of good watermelons available. Try looking for one that is adapted to your climate. Here are a few I have grown and loved.

Yellow Moon & Stars - Terrific good flavor
Luscious Golden - another topnotch sweet juicy melon
Jubilee - This old Florida release is an excellent red melon
Ledmon - This is a 20 to 25 pound sweet pink melon

As noted above, self watering containers were NOT created with watermelons in mind. If at all possible, find a spot of soil to grow them.

DarJones

I grew Sugar Baby Watermelons using self watering containers (SWC) this year. First time I ever tried growing watermelons. Worked great. They were delicious. The vines are 4-5 ft. max and is probably why it worked out so well using the SWC. I had read on the Container Forum of others growing them and decided to give it a try. Very pleased with outcome and I hope to grow more next year.

I'm growing crimson sweet and sugar baby. For the first time home gardener, the hardest part may be knowing exactly when to pick the melon. I'm growing them in an area where I burned down a honeysuckle bush then added a couple feet of extra dirt, composted grass clippings, leaves, etc.

The two plants took over over a 20' x 20' area and I have over a dozen melons on the vines. I picked one sugar baby too early and it was mostly white inside. Don't believe the yellow ground spot "rule" if you're growing sugar baby! I tried lifting another one to check the tendril and it broke off. It was too early also. I waited about a week after the tendril dried on the 3rd one. It was 10" long and 12 lbs which I hear is a good size for a sugar baby. It was mostly ripe but would have been better if I left it a few more days.

I'm a little bit paranoid about picking them at this point. I just noticed a crimson sweet which the tendril just dried on. I'll give it a week before picking and try to pay close attention to the sound when thumping / flicking it. At least a couple more sugar babys are almost ready also.

We just tried the first canteloupe growing in the same area where we were throwing the grass clippings and it was very very sweet! I'm hoping our next few watermelon turn out great also.

hint. you are using the wrong indicator of ripeness.

1. Most varieties develop a large white or yellow spot on the bottom.
2. The tendril near the stem dries and turns brown.
3. 'Thumping' the melon gives a muffled bass thud.
4. My personal favorite - rub your hand over the melon and feel for 'bumpiness'. Immature melons have smooth surfaces while ripe melons have a lumpy/bumpy feel. Some varieties like Dixielee have smooth surfaces even when ripe so know your variety first.
5. Look for lightening of skin color, many melons lighten slightly at maturity or in a few cases darken slightly.
6. check the blossom end indentation. Ripe melons tend to have a roundness or even a slight indentation at the blossom end on many varieties.
7. Lift the melon slightly, it should feel like a dead weight.

There are 3 other ways to check if a melon is ripe. Bet you can't find them.

DarJones

Wayne-
It took me a second to figure it out, but SWC stands for self-watering container.

A recommendation I would make is for Bush Sugar Baby watermelons. They are pretty compact if space is an issue. The vines on mine are around 3 feet long. I have 3 nice sized watermelons out there right now on two plants. There are probably more hiding in there, but I didn't want to disturb the plants. I posted quite a few pictures of them on my website. Here is one of them. There are three visible watermelons in this picture. Two along the left edge on the pavers. A large one in the middle right...tough to see without looking at the enlarged picture. {{gwi:102472}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Kim's Garden