Pickling Melon Seeds - Green Striped Warm season annual, Heirloom

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How to Grow Green Striped Melon

Start by making 12 inch diameter hills, 3-5 inches tall. Plant 3 seeds per hill. Hills should be spaced 4 feet apart. Rows should be 6 feet apart minimum. Keep watered regularly as they need both warm weather and lots of water to grow healthy melons. Seeds will sprout about one week after planting. The vines will grow up to 10 feet. A trellis is ideal, but you can let the vines grow out on the ground. The melons will need to be supported either way to keep them on the trellis or off the ground.

Harvesting Green Striped Melon

Once the fruits get to be 16-18 inches long and firm, they are ready to harvest. They get lighter after ripening, so be sure to harvest before they get too light in color. Harvest by twisting the melon gently off the vine. If they are ripe, they will come off pretty easily.

Harvest seeds by scooping them out and putting them in a large jar full of water. Leave in the jar for several days (not longer than a week), stirring daily. The good seeds will sink to the bottom. Pour off the water, bad seeds, and pulp. Wash the good seeds thoroughly and let them dry for several days. Then store them for the next season.

Culinary Tips

This kind of melon is traditionally used for pickling. Preparing this at home is not hard! Peel, de-seed, and cut melon into 4 cups of two-inch strips. Boil water, vinegar, shaved fresh ginger, and sugar (about 1 cup of each) with just under 1 tbsp of salt for about 5-6 minutes. Add the melon and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes. Allow to cool. Put into some jars and refrigerate for a few weeks. Serve as a side, with salad, with meat, or with any preferred protein! The melon is also good raw or in a stir-fry recipe or served sliced and stuffed.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"When I grow melons using a trellis, I use a few techniques to help support the fruit from falling. A trellis is great, especially for saving space for this large vining plant, but it also allows the fruit to breathe. Keeping it suspended will ensure better plant health. I generally use hammock-like support for larger melons. I like to use a piece of towel, a large sock, or any (preferably cotton) material. Tie it to the trellis in front of and behind the melon. This supports the melon from falling. I like to use cotton instead of polyester material because it allows the fruity to breathe better. When I do grow the vines out, I put something under the melon to keep it elevated off the ground."

- David Wiley, True Leaf Market Writer

Seeds Per Package:

• 500 mg packet - Approximately 30 Seeds
• 1 oz - Approximately 1,800 Seeds
• 4 oz - Approximately 7,200 Seeds
• 1 lb - Approximately 28,800 Seeds