(C. melo) Not to be confused with the winter melon of China (actually a wax gourd), this winter melon hails from Italy and belongs to the family of C. melo that includes cassaba and honeydew. Winter melons are so named as they are generally eaten in the cool months, often stored for months and marketed with elaborate netting around the holidays. While we haven’t found Giallo d’Inverno (Italian for “yellow of winter”) to store much longer than a month or so in our admittedly poor storage conditions, we’ve fallen in love with it nonetheless. Yellow, football-shaped fruit has a slightly wavy skin and sweet flesh the color and texture of a ripe pear. The flavor is more honeydew than cantaloupe but is really more of its own thing. Very productive, uniform and enjoyable for us the past couple of years at the farm. 90-95 days. UO

Packet: 25 seeds

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Sow indoors 3-4 weeks before your last frost date. Keep soil moist before emergence, growing at 80-90F, reducing to 75F.

Transplant out 2-3 weeks after your last frost date, when soil has sufficiently warmed.

Direct sow after 2-3 weeks after last frost when soil is 70F+.

Note: Provide ample and even water when transplanting, and take care not to disturb roots.

PLANTING DEPTH:

1/2"

SPACING:

18-24" spacing in rows 5' apart.

EMERGENCE:

5-10 days @ soil temp 75-85F

LIGHT:

Full sun

FERTILITY:

Medium. Prefers well-drained, evenly moist, and well-balanced fertile soil with a pH of 6.5-7. Avoid the addition of excess Nitrogen to soil. Phosphorus and potassium are key for healthy fruit set.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Be gentle while transplanting to keep root system undisturbed.

Consistent warmth and water is essential.

Row cover may be used for extra warmth and possible earlier fruit set. Remove as plants begin to flower.

Keep transplants through fruit set well watered. Cut back water a week or so before ripe to avoid bland tasting fruit.

Melon, 'Giallo d'Inverno'