Organic Melon Green Nutmeg

Melon: Green Nutmeg
Cucumis melo
Approx. 50 seeds per gram
Traditionally, melons have not been easy to grow in the UK because they need plenty of warmth and sunshine. However we can now offer a range of F1 varieties that have the extra vigour needed to produce fruit even in a dull Summer.
If you have a polytunnel or greenhouse you will likely see better success. Pollination is key and if there are not enough insects undercover you may want to try pollinating by hand. This involves moving the pollen from a male flower to a female.
You also want to prevent cross pollination from other Cucurbitae, especially Cucumbers, as this can spoil the flavour.
There are different types of Melon. The smaller varieties, such as Cantaloupe, are best suited to growing at home.

Green Nutmeg is one of the oldest recorded melon varieties. When fully ripe the fruits have a pale green skin with greenish-brown netting and soft-textured pale green flesh with a remarkable aroma and taste. Ideal for undercover use or outside in warm sheltered areas. The variety is grown by us from seed provided by the Heritage Seed Library (HSL) with a view to registering the variety on the National list. 25p will be donated to the HSL for every packet sold.

How to grow:
Sow seeds in pots or modules in good organic seed compost at a temperature of 21°C. If you plant the seed on its side they are less prone to rotting off.
Transplant into growbags, 2 per bag or the greenhouse/polytunnel border, 60cm apart, when the plants have produced 4 true leaves. A series of pinching out the growing tips is recommended and this encourages side shoots which will produce flowers and consequently fruits sooner. A week after planting pinch out the growing tip leaving only 2 true leaves.
Two sides shoots will grow, begin to train them up wires or strings for support. Allow them to produce 8 to 10 leaves and then pinch out the growing tip on both side shoots.
The next sets of shoots will produce flowers. When fruits have set pinch out the growing tip again leaving 2 sets of leaves above the baby melon. Allow only 4 fruits per plant.
Water and feed well.
Pests and diseases:
Melons are relatively pest free. But watch out for slugs, aphids and cucumber mosaic virus.
How to cook:
Melons are, of course, delicious eaten just as they are but they go really well with mint, ginger, cured ham, strawberries and raspberries. They also make good sorbet.