He growed him a dang melon ...

[Bill in Oregon]

Last summer I stopped at a roadside stand with a crudely lettered sign that read "Sweet Texas watermelons" and bought a Texas yellow, upon friends' recommendations. It was great, and I tossed some leavings in the raised bed and thought no more about it. This past June, I noticed a single melon-like sprout in the bed and decided to let it grow to see what it might be. Well it was sure enough a watermelon and the vine gave this one big fruit. Picked, washed and chilled it a couple of days ago, and cracked it open last night. Turned out to be 20 pounds of wonderfully ripe Texas yellow. Man, what a great flavor. I may never grow a watermelon again and just let this be my one crowning success as a melon farmer!


fullsizeoutput_1621 by ComeWatson, on Flickr

fullsizeoutput_1622 by ComeWatson, on Flickr

[earlmck]

Dang fine job of it, Bill. Now you have it figured out you should do some more next year.

[AJMD429]

Some of our best melons and cantaloupe have been compost-pile sprouts - because they get lots of nutrition and the heat of the compost pile gets them sprouting early in the spring so they have time to grow.

Never heard of a yellow melon though.

[piller]

Yellow are pretty easy to find at Farmer's Markets. Sweeter than most red ones.

[3leggedturtle]

Dang, my mouth was watering just reading this.

[GunnyMack]

At some point I dried and put up some watermelon seeds, I found them about early July. Figured what the heck and planted them around the yard. Within minutes the chipmunks found them and ate all but 4. All sprouted, 2 were too shaded and soon died off. The other 2 grew well but one went into the lawn and I mowed it over. The last one just flowered last week and has 3 more flowers . I don't think I'm gonna get any melons...