Organic Melon Canary 2 - Cucumis melo

'Canary 2' melon is a popular Spanish type variety that produces 1-1.5kg oval fruits with bright yellow rind and fine white flesh. Juicy and very sweet! Sow in April-May and harvest from June to September.

The melon is a popular fruit belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family alongside gourds and squashes. It grows on annual herbaceous trailing vines and is native to central Asia, although evidence discovered in Ancient Egyptian tombs suggests that it has been cultivated in Africa for over 4000 years. Nearly all melons belong to the Cucumis melo species. This includes sweet-flavoured summer varieties such as Cantaloupes, muskmelons and netted melons, and mild-flavoured “winter” varieties (honeydew, casabas, Persian melons etc.). Melon fruits come in many shapes, sizes and colours. They can be round or oblong and have smooth, ribbed or reticulated skin. The juicy green, white, yellow or orange flesh surrounds a central seed cavity.

Melon can be eaten raw as a starter or dessert, in sorbets, jams, soups or canned in syrup. Small immature melons that are removed from the plant during thinning or pruning can be pickled in vinegar with fresh herbs. Melon is a refreshing fruit that has diuretic properties, it is known to be an excellent source of vitamins B and C as well as trace elements. Varieties with orange flesh contain vitamin A, also known as carotene.

Harvesting: Cantaloupes and muskmelons are typically ready to harvest about 4 weeks after pollination. Ripe fruit gives off a delicious sweet and musky aroma, with small cracks in the rind surrounding the stem. The stem itself is shrivelled and dry, making it easy to detach the fruit from the vine. Larger types of melon take a bit longer to ripen.

Storage: whole, uncut melons will easily keep for several days (up to 5 days) in a dry and well-ventilated place. Damaged or leftover fruit can be frozen for later use. Remove the peel and discard the seeds, cut into small pieces and spread out on a tray. Place in the freezer until firm then transfer into freezer bags.

Good to know: Placing the melons on top of a slate or roof tile will keep them from being in direct contact with the ground. This prevents them from rotting due to excessive humidity. Melon plants prefer moist soil and benefit from mulching, especially during the hotter summer months. They are very prone to powdery mildew (a fungal disease that causes a white down to form on the surface of the leaves). When watering, try to avoid getting water on the leaves or flowers. Melons are heavy feeders. Make sure to rotate your crops to prevent the soil from wearing out. Melon plants associate well with members of the Fabaceae family (formerly legumes) such as beans or peas. Avoid growing them next to cucumber or squash plants.

NB. Organic seeds (in French "AB" for "Agriculture Biologique") are produced from plants that aren't treated with phytosanitary products (insecticides, weed killers). The seeds do not undergo post-harvest treatment. They carry the AB label and are approved by Ecocert, an independent structure.