Melon Seeds - Collective Farm Woman
83 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Collective Farm Woman Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant specialty Melon. Suitable for growing in containers, garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. This amazing melon comes from Ukraine, where fast-ripening melons are important in cool conditions. A Seed Savers Exchange member first offered this melon in 1993 after a trip to the Island of Krim in the Black Sea. Collective Farm Woman has a yellow-gold rind with extra sweet white flesh. Melons grow 7-10 inches in size. Collective Farm Woman ripens early, as you would expect from a cool-weather melon. Harvest when the skin turns orange-yellow. Stores well for several weeks after harvest. ~644 seeds/oz.
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Growing Collective Farm Woman Melon in the Vegetable Garden
You can either direct sow seeds or start them indoors, depending on your growing season. If you live in a region with a short growing season or cooler spring temperatures, it’s best to start seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost date. Sow seeds 0.5 inches deep in individual pots or seed trays filled with a high-quality, well-draining seed starting mix. Once the seeds sprout and develop two sets of true leaves, they will need to be hardened off before transplanting.
For direct sowing outdoors, wait until the soil temperature has reached at least 70 F to ensure optimal germination. Space seeds 2-3 feet apart and plant them in hills or mounds, which help improve drainage and encourage stronger root development. You can plant 2-3 seeds per hill, thinning to the strongest seedling once they’ve established. Before transplanting seedlings outdoors, they need to be hardened off to help them adjust to outdoor conditions.
For optimal growth, space plants 24 inches apart in rows that are 6 feet apart. Water your melons regularly and deeply, aiming for about 1-2 inches of water per week. Mulching around the base of the plants can help retain moisture and prevent weeds. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer or compost at the time of planting and again when the vines begin to grow vigorously. You can switch to a phosphorus-heavy fertilizer to encourage fruit development as they start to fruit.
Pruning is not always necessary, but you can pinch off the tips of the vines after the plant has set a few fruits to encourage the plant to focus on ripening those melons. In cases of low pollination, you can assist by hand-pollinating the flowers. Good companion plants for melons include corn, radishes, and marigolds.
Harvesting Collective Farm Woman Melon
You can tell that they are ready to harvest when the fruit changes to rich golden-yellow color, the skin develops a slight softness, and it emits a sweet, fruity aroma. Another clue is that the melon will detach easily from the vine with a gentle tug, indicating it’s fully ripe.
About Collective Farm Woman Melon Garden Seeds
While this variety is not technically considered cold-tolerant because it doesn’t handle frosts well, it is great for colder climates where the growing season is shorter. It can handle cooler temperatures than the average melon but still requires warm weather.
It was bred and developed in the Soviet era, specifically in Ukraine and Russia, during the 1930s. The melon was named after the "Collective Farm Woman," or "Kolkhoznitsa" in Russian, which references the female workers of the collective farms.
This melon can store well for several weeks after harvest.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Melons are hydrating due to their high water content and offer a source of dietary fiber, making them a great choice for a balanced diet."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Collective Farm Woman Melon Seeds Per Package:
- 1 g - Wholesale - Approximately 20 Seeds
- 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 644 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 2,576 Seeds
Non-GMO Collective Farm Woman Melon seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Cucumis melo |
| Melon Type: | Other - There are many categories of melons and anything not included in one of the named categories here are included in 'other'. These include but aren't limited to Galia, Canary, Charentais, Winter, Piel de Sapo, Christmas melons, etc. |
| Collective Farm Woman Melon Color: | Yellow skin and creamy white flesh. |
| Collective Farm Woman Melon Flavor: | Sweet, fragrant, and mildly fruity with a smooth, tender texture. It has a distinctive sugary flavor that is both refreshing and subtly rich. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 83 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.5-1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 24 inches in row or 2-3 plants per hill. |
| Row Spacing: | 6 Feet |
| Plant Height: | 12-15 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Sprawled, Trailing Vine |
| Soil Preference: | Melons prefer warm, well-draining but moist, nutrient-rich, loamy to sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-90 F). |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes, direct sow 1-2 weeks after your last frost date. |
| Start Indoors: | Yes. Melons may be started indoors 2-4 weeks before your last spring frost date. Wait to transplant them outdoors until at least 1 week after your last frost date as melons grow best with warm soil. Avoid leaving them in seed starting containers for long as melons are sensitive to transplanting. Harden off to reduce the effects of transplant shock. |
| Melon Pollination: | Melons require insects, such as bees, for successful pollination. As monoecious plants they produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant. This means that not every flower will develop into fruit. We recommend growing an assortment of flowers near or throughout your garden to attract pollinators. |
| Plant Spread: | 48-72 inches |
| Plant Width: | 48-72 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Mid - Ready for harvest around 80-95 days. |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Germination Temperature: | 70-95 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Generally, melons are commonly susceptible to pest damage by aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, cutworms, white flies, and melon worms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Melons are also susceptible to Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, and Fusarium Wilt, Anthracnose, and Bacterial Wilt. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed |
| Melon Use: | Primarily eaten fresh, it’s perfect for summer snacks, fruit salads, and desserts. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat |