Tell me about watermelons

Posted by: helen
Date: February 27, 2007 05:01AM

I had almost given up on watermelons as had been sick of buying them only to cut them open and find pale pink flesh lacking in sweetness and juice.
Today I bought half a dark green skinned melon with bright pink flesh and black seeds. It was absolutely beautiful.

Is this variety always the best watermelon to buy and should we generally wait until mid Feb for sweet melons?

Re: Tell me about watermelons
Posted by: Kerry
Date: February 27, 2007 05:15AM

I bought a rock melon from my usually reliable Silverdale market. It smelt wonderful so I bought. Cut open next morning.. yerksss. no taste, pale of flesh but the skin was giving impressions all was well and ripe.

Re: Tell me about watermelons
Posted by: Laurel Farmers Market
Date: February 27, 2007 02:35PM

Helen,
You may be on to something. I grew several varieties of seedless watermelons last year, and none of them were super sweet. They were great looking on the outside, firm crisp and red inside, but lacked a sweetness I desire. I didn't put any on the stand as I didn't want disappointed customers. I am going to try an heirloom variety this year called Moon & Stars. Maybe the old seeded variety will be sweet.
As to later varieties, I think in most cases the sweetest veggies and fruits that I grow are a little longer season varieties. The early season varieties are okay to get an early start on eating fresh, but it seems in general they are not quite as sweet as most varieties maturing later.
As an aside, I had some really great sweet small cantaloupe (muskmellon) last year. They were only 1 to 2 lbs, but were so sweet. You may want to look at trying them if you see them. (My variety was called Lil Loupe)
Warmest regards,
Greg

Re: Tell me about watermelons
Posted by: Maryloo
Date: February 28, 2007 01:47AM

I dont usualy like or enjoy watermelon, but tried, thoroughly enjoyed , and even went and bought, one of the green "stripey" common type melons with pink flesh and black pips and it was a particularly sweet melon ..juicy and very sweet. Maybe its a good season

Re: Tell me about watermelons
Posted by: Lisa Templeton
Date: February 28, 2007 02:00AM

Hi Helen,
I think Laurel is onto something with the older variety's being sweeter. Its a bit like roses I think, we have tampered so much with them that it is the old varieties that have the beautiful scent.
Warm fuzzies
lisa