(80 – 90 days) (Muskmelon) This Amish heirloom produces many mid-sized (4-7 lbs), oval-shaped melons with a thick rind and juicy, aromatic orange flesh. This is a tough melon that will produce well for you in a variety of growing conditions.
(90-100 days). This 1881 heirloom has noble connections, developed by the head gardener for the Duke of Marlborough and grown in the greenhouses of England’s Blenheim Palace. In its first year of introduction, it won first prize as the best melon, from the Royal Horticultural Society. The 2-lb fruits have thin, netted skin and thick, fragrant orange flesh.
(Cantaloupe) (75-90 days) This famous French heirloom melon has a reputation as one of the best-flavoured melons in the world! Growing to about the size of a grapefruit, it matures to a creamy yellow exterior with salmon-coloured flesh that has both a heavenly fragrance and taste.
(80-85 days) An old Ukrainian variety, popular on the Crimean peninsula, this early melon ripens even in Moscow! Medium-sized fruits (7-10”) have yellow/white flesh that is sweet, crunchy and fragrant. Excellent for northern gardens.
NEW FOR 2008! (85-90 days) This old, French heirloom melon was listed by Vilmourin in 1885. Deeply-ribbed, yellow-orange, 1-lb. fruits look somewhat like small pumpkins & have very sweet, orange flesh. Almost extinct until recently, they are starting to become available in the seed trade.
(Muskmelon) (90 – 100 days) From seed brought from Japan after WWII, this large (up to 10 lbs) melon has sweet, orange flesh and golden skin.
(Muskmelon)(80-90 days) Introduced in 1863, and very popular in the late 19th and early 20th C., this melon is so-named because of its sweet yet slightly spicy flavor. It is a prolific producer of 2-3 lb., highly aromatic, ribbed melons that are heavily netted, with succulent green flesh. One of the parents of the Montreal Melon.
(75-85 days) Muskmelon Pre-1923 This heavy producer of 2-3 lb fruits is popular, particularly due to its early maturation, blight-resistance and fine flavour and aroma.
(75 – 90 days) (Muskmelon) 1895. Growing to 3 lbs., this melon has pink-orange flesh and an almost sharp taste. It likes sunny days, and doesn’t tolerate cold nights.
(85 days) (Muskmelon) Pre-1920. (Aka “Sugar Rock”) This melon, developed by F.W. Richardson in the U.S., was popular in the 20’s and 30’s due to its short-maturation ( which made it a great melon for northern gardeners), its resistance to fusarium wilt, and its firm, sweet flesh. It was named an AAS winner in 1933, and a 1932 seed catalogue described it as perfect for both the home gardener and the market grower. It produces globe-shaped, 3-4 lb fruits that are heavily-netted and have firm salmon-orange flesh.
(Muskmelon) (70 – 85 days) Pre-1846. Named after “The Swedish Nightingale”, who was a singing sensation at the time, this early melon produces an abundance of small (2-3 lbs), heavily netted fruits that have pale green, extremely sweet flesh. Its vines are short (for a melon)at 5’ and it is disease- resistant. A good short-season melon.
SORRY, SOLD OUT FOR 2008. (75 days) (Cantaloupe) 1787. (aka Black Rock) This rare French heirloom is a heavy producer of very sweet, aromatic 2-3 lb. fruit that start out such a dark green in colour that they’re almost black. They gradually ripen to orange, mottled with green. One of the easiest melons to grow!
A true Canadian success story! Bred in 1912 by Father Athanase of the La Trappe Monastery in Oka,Quebec., this melon was a cross of the Montreal Melon and the Banana. It was thought to have disappeared, but was re-discovered on the Island of Bizard, Quebec. Great flavour as well as a great history.
(85-95 days) pre-1850 (Cantaloupe) A very old French heirloom melon, this one is absolutely unique! The fruits, weighing 4 -9 lbs, have beautiful grey-green warted skin that turns a straw colour, a heavenly fragrance and dense, sweet flesh. This incredible melon is a heavy producer and absolutely drought tolerant!
(Aka Plum Granny; Dudaim Melon) (75-80 days) A unique heirloom that was grown primarily for its powerful fragrance. Victorian women carried these 2.5”by 3/5” fruits in their pockets for the perfume-like quality of the fragrance. Why, you may ask? To protect against the overwhelming stench of Victorian streets! The picturesque,tiny fruits are yellow with orange stripes and a bland taste. Place some in a bowl as a conversation piece.
NEW FOR 2008! (85 days) An Armenian heirloom whose name, I am sure, has been changed (unless Armenians of old were avid followers of Winnie the Pooh). It’s an appropriate name, nonetheless, as the 1-lb. fruit is bright yellow with bright red stripes. Highly aromatic with white, sweet flesh. Excellent for specialty markets.
