This is a Hale's Best Jumbo muskmelon, an organic heirloom variety grown from seed from Botanical Interests. I chose this variety because it was described as drought-resistant.
The flesh was advertised as salmon-orange, but I think it's more of an apricot shade. Unlike some melons, this one didn't have a lot of liquid in the center around the seeds.
The flesh was very firm, almost crisp. The aroma and flavor were delightfully sweet and mildly floral.
Hale's Best is a really lovely melon! I'll definitely grow them next year. I only had room for one vine this year, but I'll make room for more next year.
There is a second melon, on a vine that crossed over to the neighbor's yard. The neighbor lady pointed it out to me yesterday, and I told her that she's welcome to whatever grows on their side of the fence. Her two little girls are very excited. It's still too green to eat, so I recommended she wait until it turns yellow. Hopefully the possums won't get to it first and ruin everything!
Words and photos © 2009-2010 Caroline Homer for "The Shovel-Ready Garden". Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
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