Prescott Fond Blanc Melon (Heirloom 80-90 Days)

A 19th-century French heirloom cantaloupe, quite different and stranger-looking than the ones we grow today. First documented by Vilmorin in 1883 but is thought to be older and was once extensively grown in the gardens of Paris. It has a flattened, squat shape with broad, deep ribs and bumpy, lumpy skin. Beneath its unusual rind is fragrant, dense, dark salmon flesh with a silky, succulent, melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich, melon flavor. The 5-8 lb fruits begin out slate gray, maturing to a warm yellow/tan color, and can be harvested to finish ripening indoors. 

20 seeds

PLANTING

Cucumis melo

Germination: 4-10 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-85ºF

Seed Sowing Depth: 1/2" deep

Sowing Indoors: 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-85ºF soil temperature. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces root damage when transplanting. Transplant after the last frost, 36" apart.

Sowing Outdoors:  Sow after the last frost when the soil temperature is over 70ºF. Sow 2-3 seeds every 36", thin to the strongest seedling. 

How much does a packet plant: 18-20 foot single row, 5-6 hills

Harvest: Look for the following signs, as it does take some practice to tell when they are ready to harvest. The skin tone changes and netting becomes heavy, the ends soften, they will slip from the vines, or a gentle tug will pull it away from the vine, a crack develops around the stem, the closest tendril to the stem dries, and the aroma increases when ripe.

Tips:  Plant melons in fertile soil, amended with compost or well-rotted manure, and keep well watered. They benefit from growing on black plastic and from using row covers for weed and insect control, and for more rapid growth.