Pickling Melon Seeds - Oshiro Uri Numane - Heirloom

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How to Grow Oshiro Uri Numane Melon

Vining melons require a lot of room to grow. Make 12-inch diameter hills, 3-5 inches tall. Plant 3 seeds per hill. The hills should be 4 feet apart (48 inches). If you have room for multiple rows, the rows should be at least 6 feet apart. Water the hills regularly. Seeds usually sprout within a week. The vines will grow up to 10 feet long and will sprawl on the ground. If you have room for this, that’s fine. As the fruits begin to grow, make sure to keep them off the bare soil to prevent rotting. Another option is to use a trellis to support the vines. This will save space, increase the overall airflow around the melons, and make harvesting easier. Use some support to keep the melons on the trellis as they get larger.

Harvesting Oshiro Uri Numane Melon

As they mature, these melons gradually get lighter and lighter, eventually becoming almost white. It’s best to harvest Numane melons before they turn completely white, as they will be a bit sweeter. Twist the melons gently from the vine, they should come off easily when they are ready.

To harvest the seeds, open a ripe melon and scoop out the seeds and pulp. Put this in a jar, and fill the jar with water. Let them sit for a few days, stirring the water every day. The best seeds will sink to the bottom of the jar. Pour off the water and remove the poorer seeds and pulp. Wash the remaining seeds thoroughly, and lay them out to dry for several days before storing them.

Culinary Tips

While this melon is traditionally pickled in Japan, it can also be served raw with salads just like a cucumber, or stir-fried with meat or vegetables. One recipe that is a favorite is to slice the melon into disks, 0.75-1 inch thick, scoop out the seeds, and stuff these melon rings with either diced beef, pork, fish, or vegetables and steam them. This is often done with bitter melon but it works great with Numane melons as well.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"Because my yard has some extra room, I let my melons grow out on the ground. Some care does need to be taken when doing this. I use a trick called a “melon cradle” which you can buy. Fix one to the ground under each melon. This elevates them a few inches off the ground, as they grow to maturity. The cradle keeps it safe from rotting and adds a bit of airflow. A flat piece of slate under each one will also work. Before I bought the cradles I hand cut pieces of cardboard to place under each melon, replacing them when it rained."

- David Wiley, True Leaf Market Writer

Seeds Per Package:

• 1 g packet - Approximately 25 Seeds
• 1 oz - Approximately 1,400 Seeds
• 4 oz - Approximately 5,600 Seeds
• 1 lb - Approximately 22,400 Seeds