Courtesy Territorial Seed Company
Melons do n’t heed their manners — at least as far as their growth habits are concerned . A single , jog vine of a standard melon variety show can cover up to 100 square foot of garden space , and most urban farmers do n’t have that kind of way to spare . It ’s distressing to think that delicious and nutritious homegrown melons are taken off the bill of fare because of outer space restrictions .
This is especially true knowing that it does n’t have to be this way . Miniature melon vine variety are the perfect partners for urban center landscapes , taking up petty room yet bring out much like their full - size of it brother .
Two Ways to Grow
Melons can be term “ minis ” if their fruits are diminished — usually less than 2 pounds each . These mini melons produce vines that are as rowdy as received - sized cultivar , taking up lots of garden distance , but the fruit they produce is single - wait on size .
“ What make these types of miniature melons a good fit for urban nurseryman is the fact that their lightweight fruit does n’t postulate to be supported when the plants are grown vertically , ” says Niki Jabbour , source ofThe Year - Round Vegetable Gardener(Storey Publishing , 2011 ) . “ Gardeners with trellises , arbors , fences , tepees or other garden construction can easily grow these mini melon upward alternatively of outwards . ”
Vertical vines fill a far smaller garden footprint than vines left to ramble , and the evolve fruits are kept up off the ground and off from pests and rot .
The second elbow room mini melon are classified is by their growth use . Bush - eccentric melons are excellent choices for gardeners with limited space . These plants are far smaller in height , taking up only a few square invertebrate foot each , but in most cases , the fruit is standard size . The compact vines are n’t as fertile as full - sized vine , but product is still good . In most cases , each vine will bring forth three or more fruits .
Now get ’s stop talking . Here are 10 mini melons you may commence grow right away !
1. Alvaro
This beautiful fiddling melon vine is one of the first to maturate each season . With only 65 years to maturity , this Charentais - case averages just 5 inch in diameter . Its smooth tegument ripens to a yellow burn and is accentuated with dark green , shallow ribbing . The Salmon River - Orange River flesh is odoriferous as can be .
Production on Alvaro is an added incentive ; each plant arrange about a half - twelve fruits . Charentais melon do not slue from the vine when right ; instead , look for yellowing peel and small crack on the blossom end of the fruit . you may also sense when Alvaro is ready to be prune from the vine ; the right , delicious scent is unforgettable .
2. Early Silver Line
This Korean introduction matures in 75 Day . The ellipse - shaped , smooth , sensationalistic - skinned yield is foreground with Ag foray , and each small melon vine weighs between 1 and 2 pound . The white shape is very crisp and sugary , and with a name like former Silver Line , you know it will be one of the first melon to grow yield — even in northern climates .
3. Kazakh
A mini melon with terrific sweetness , each 1- to 2 - pound green yield turn gilded yellow when ripe . An Asian variety , Kazakh ’s fruits are perfectly orotund orbs , and the vines are drouth - resistive , early producer . Vines reach maturity in about 75 years and make for beautifully on a treillage or fence .
4. Sprite
These are tight becoming popular discovery at farmers market , and rightfully so . These Nipponese melons are the subject of several university - base breeding curriculum because of their high yield value , marketability and honeyed flavor .
Each melon vine weigh only a pound or so and valuate a simple 4 in across . Their frame is nippy , like an apple , with a indulgent , creamy coloration . The still , lily-white skin of Sprite melon develops a tenuous touch of yellow when the fruits are ripe , and they sneak easy from the vine when harvest clock time get in . Sprite is an first-class option because each vine produces many fruit , and the flora take only 79 days to progress to maturity date .
5. Tigger
This is the miniature melon vine to grow if you are calculate for something a bit dissimilar . They take longer to reach maturity—90 solar day — but their unique appearance and delectable flavor are deserving the waiting . This is not a good pick if you live where the growing season is short , and the fruits are definitely sweetened when the vine are grown in ironic status , but if you live in a warm place , Tigger is the melon to try .
The flesh is ashen , and the smooth pelt is mottle with red and orangish — a striking melon indeed ! Each fruit weighs a petty more than a hammering , and the vine are very prolific .
6. Golden Jenny
This Dubyuh - type melon is a yellow - flesh , poor - statured random variable of the classic , green - flesh heirloom Jenny Lind motley . Both selection are unparalleled for the pommel , or turban , at the efflorescence end of each fruit . A Golden Jenny ’s golden flesh is super sweet , and its lacy fleeceable skin turns yellow when the fruit are ripe .
ripe fruits also slip easily from the vine . An early , generative variety that matures in about 75 days , Golden Jenny ’s myopic , bushy vine do n’t take up much room , but they bring forth quite prolifically .
7. Green Machine
This miniature melon vine matures in 85 days and is absolutely incredible — not only in smell and appearance but also in number . The compact vines bring forth aggregate quantities of 2 - pound melons , each with lovely green flesh that tastes divine . The hide is netted , and fruits return from the vine when right .
8. Honey Bun
This bush variety is not only compact in stature , but it also bear the cutest little fruit . Measuring just 5 inches across , each honey - flavored fruit has deep orangish flesh and a classical , lacy cantaloup vine hide . Each vine produces three or four fruits in about 75 days that fall from the vine when ripe .
9. Minnesota Midget (bush type)
Marie Iannotti , author ofA Beginner ’s Guide to Growing Heirloom Vegetables(Timber Press , 2012 ) , bonk Minnesota Midget for its fast maturation — it reach due date in a simple 70 day — and its sugary - sweet-flavored flesh . The very small , very compact plant reach only 3 to 4 feet across yet still produce numerous fruit , up to six per plant life !
The orange - fleshed fruits are small , measure only 4 in across , making this variety an exceptional pick for container growing , too . “ Because it matures so quickly , Minnesota Midget is great for northerly areas with shorter growing seasons , ” Iannotti say . The skin is netted and green but pales when the fruits are ripe .
10. Sleeping Beauty
This form was introduced in the former 1990s and is best - known for its compact vine and luscious , yellowed - orangeness - fleshed fruit . mature fruits reach only a half - punt in weight , and the weblike hide has deep ribbing and bend a pallid yellow when ripe . Plants give maturity date in 85 day .
Miniature melon vine are the perfect convulsion for modest garden , and the flavor of a homegrown melon is an experience not to be forgotten . I consider them “ garden candy ” because , once you have them , you just ca n’t get enough .
Get more small - space horticulture tips :
This article primitively appeared in the May / June 2013 issue ofUrban Farm .
