ORGANIC W
36
AustralianSeed:australianseed.com
BoondieSeeds:boondieseeds.com.au
TheDiggersClub:diggers.com.au
EdenSeeds:edenseeds.com.au
GreenHarvest:greenharvest.com.au
TheLostSeed:thelostseed.com.au
Rangeview Seeds: rangeviewseeds.com.auJUSTIN’ FAVO R
TES
‘Piel de Sapo’ The name translates as ‘toad skin’,
describing the rind of this unspectacular, but amazingly
delicious variety from Spain. Rough, olive-coloured
skin hides creamy white flesh that is sweet, firm
andveryjuicy.‘PieldeSapo’fleshisasrefreshing
asawatermelononahotday.
‘Ha’ogen’ (pictured above) Hailing from a kibbutz in
Israel (though likely to originate in Czechoslovakia,
from where the kibbutz founders emigrated in 1939),
‘Ha’ogen’ has become one of the world’s most esteemed
melons due to its complex flavour and dripping, nectar-
likeflesh.Thevinesproducehighyieldsofround,striped
fruitthatconvenientlyturnyellowwhenreadytopick.
‘Petit Gris de Rennes’ This old French marvel has
definitely lodged in my memory as one of the nicest
melons I’ve ever tasted. It’s not the easiest to grow, but
the orange-fleshed fruits are well worth the effort.Seed^ sellers
the three-to-four-month growing period. Wet foliage,
however, is a magnet for fungal disease so opt for
ground-level watering in the morning. Drip watering
is ideal. Avoid overwatering – let the foliage wilt
a little before you irrigate.
Mulch beneath the vines to suppress weeds, reduce
evaporation and keep the fruit clean. A rainwater
tank is a defi nite plus for melon growing to save
on your water bill.Pests and diseases
Mildew is almost inevitable during the growing season
in most climate zones. Downy mildew, which appears
on the underside of foliage, is worst during prolonged
wet spells, thriving in cool humidity.
Powdery mildew, which appears on the surface of
foliage, is worst during periods of warmth and moderate-
to-high humidity. Both can be contained with good
cultural practices, such as promoting airfl ow around
plants, a full-sun position, and growing mildew-
resistant varieties. When poor growing conditions are
expected, apply a preventative spray containing copper
hydroxide or potassium bicarbonate. Alternatively,
use milk (one part milk to nine parts water).
Pests aren’t generally a huge issue for melons. Beetles,
such as the 28 spotted ladybird and its larvae, eat foliage,
while others, such as the striped cucumber beetle, spread
plant viruses (an issue if you’re saving seed). Other pests,
such as melon fl y and melon thrips, can affect home
growers but tend to target large monocultures. Control
serious infestations with certifi ed organic pyrethrum.Trellis growing
If garden bed space is limited, think vertical. Melon
vines are just as happy scrambling up a trellis as they
are sprawling over the ground, and they may actually
perform better because of the increased airfl ow and
light exposure. Nets are also used to cradle melons
growing from pergolas or trellis.
Trellises can be as rustic or as fancy as you wish. My
favourite is a sheet of reinforcing mesh, cut to the size
of my garden beds. I simply stand this on its side and
support it with a couple of stakes or star pickets. Other
options include wire fencing, timber lattice, old bed
bases, compostable jute netting, and old bits of fencing.Harvesting and storage
One of the tricks to enjoying a perfectly ripe melon is
knowing when to harvest. Look for a change in skin
colour from green to yellow/orange, withering of the
stem joining the fruit to the vine, and fruit that easily
‘slips’ from the vine with little effort (although some
varieties stay fi rmly attached and must be cut free).
Pick fruit as required as the shelf life of melons isn’t
long – most will keep a few days to a week on the
kitchen bench and a week or two in the fridge.
PHOTOS: ISTOCK